[Clinical observation on treatment of melancholia by acupuncture following principle of relieving depression and regulating mentality]

Abstract

Objective: To observe the curative effect of acupuncture following principle of relieving depression and regulating mentality (RDRM) in treating patients with melancholia, and compare it with that of Western medicinal treatment.

Methods: Patients in the observed group were treated with needling and electroacupuncture (EA), and those in the control group orally taken Fluoxetine or Paroxetine. The curative effect, Hamilton Depression Scale scores (HAMD), effect initiating time and sustaining time were observed and compared.

Results: The total effective rate was 87.5% and 79.1% in the observed group and the control group respectively, showing insignificant difference between them (P > 0.05), but comparison of the initiating time and sustaining time between the two groups did show significant different (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Acupuncture with following RDRM principle has definite effect in treating melancholia, which is comparable to Western medicinal treatment, and shows a superiority to the latter in effect initiating and sustaining time.