RESUMEN
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Xing Nao An Shen Jie Yu needling method (brain-awakening mind-calming and anti-depression needling method) in treating depression after cerebral stroke. Method Totally 120 patients with depression after cerebral stroke were randomized into two groups: the acupuncture group was intervened by An Shen Xing Nao Jie Yu needling method, while the Western medication group was by oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsules. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Barthel Index (BI) were adopted to evaluate the depression degree, neural function deficit, and activities of daily living after 4-week and 8-week treatments. Result The total effective rate was 96.5% in the acupuncture group, versus 83.9% in the Western medication group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the acupuncture group was superior to the Western medication group in improving the HAMD, NIHSS, and BI scores (P<0.01), and its therapeutic efficacy present with a feature of time-effect. Conclusion Xing Nao An Shen Jie Yu needling can significantly improve the symptoms of depression after cerebral stroke, promoting the recovery of neural function and enhancing the quality of life.