RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Jieyu decoction (HJD) on patients with depression after craniotomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the sequence of their consultation. The 45 patients in the treated group were treated with conventional symptomatic treatment plus oral administration of HJD, and the 38 patients in the control group were treated in the same way but with chlorimipramine (anafranil) instead of HJD. Hamilton depression (HAMD) scores before and after treatment, occurrence of adverse effects and long-term therapeutic effect of treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The score of HAMD was insignificantly different in 2 groups before and after treatment (P >0.05), but the occurrence of adverse effects between them was significantly different (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of HJD on depression was similar to that of anafranil, but HJD has less adverse effect and more stabilized long-term effect.</p>