Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture in Regulating Depressed State / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in regulating depressed state. Method Sixty patients in depressed state were divided into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was given basic intervention plus acupuncture, whereas the control group was treated by basic intervention alone. The two groups were evaluated by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and PSTR prior to treatment, and respectively after 1, 2, and 3-month treatment. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared. Result The HAMD and PSTR scores were significantly changed respectively after 1, 2, and 3-month treatment compared to that before treatment in both groups (P<0.05). Respectively after 1, 2, and 3-month treatment, the HAMD and PSTR scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05). Acupuncture worked rather slowly in the first month of treatment, while in the following 2 months, its efficacy increased significantly. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group versus 40.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were no adverse reactions during the whole intervention with acupuncture. Conclusion Acupuncture is an effective approach in regulating depressed state.