[Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment of 150 cases of post-stroke depression according to syndrome differentiation]

Abstract

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) in the light of syndrome differentiation.

Methods: A total of 300 PSD patients were randomized into acupuncture group and medication group, with 150 cases in each group. For patients of acupuncture group,Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), etc. were punctured combined with other acupoints according to different syndromes, once daily for 2 months. For patients of medication group, fluoxetine (20 mg/d) was administered orally,continuously for 2 months. Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate changes of PSD patients' state after the treatment.

Results: After the treatment, the scores of HAMD in both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and that of acupuncture group was remarkably lower than that of medication group (P < 0.05). Of the two 150 PSD patients in medication and acupuncture groups, 35 (23.3%) and 16 (10.7%) cases were cured, 82 (54.7%) and 41 (27.3%) had a marked improvement, 17 (11.3%) and 57 (38.0%) had an improvement, and 16 (10.7%) and 36 (24.0%) were ineffective, with the total effective rates being 89.3% and 76.0% respectively. Chi-square test showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture was significantly superior to that of medication group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Acupuncture is effective in improving post-stroke depression in PSD patients.