[Randomized controlled trial on comorbid anxiety and depression treated with electroacupuncture combined with rTMS]

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy differences between integrative therapy of electroacupuncture and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and simple rTMS only in the treatment of comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD).

Methods: Eighty-five cases of CAD were randomized into two groups. The observation group (40 cases) was treated with electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Shenting (GV 24), Shenmen (HT 7) and Neiguan (PC 6) mainly, combined with rTMS. The control group (45 cases) was treated with simple rTMS. Separately, before treatment, after 5 days and 10 days treatment, Hemilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hemilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used for the scoring of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the efficacies were compared between two groups.

Results: After 5 days, 10 days treatment, the scores of HAMA, HAMD were reduced remarkably as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.001), HAMA score in observation group was lower than that in control group after 10 days treatment (P < 0.05). The remarkable effective rates of depression and anxiety in observation group those 10 days that treatment were 87. 1% (27/31) and 90.3% (28/31) respectively, which were higher apparently than 61.8% (21/34) and 61.8% (21/34) in control group separately (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The integrative therapy of electroacupuncture and rTMS is definitely effective on CAD. This method is better than simple rTMS.