Effects of Herbal Pair of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Albizia Julibrissin Flower on Quality of Life among Elderly Patients with Depression / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to observe the effects of herbal pair of Semen ziziphi spinosae (SZS) and A lbizia julibrissin flower (AJF) on the quality of life (QOL) among elderly patients with depression. A total of 70 elderly patients with depression were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The Chinese medicine group (with 35 cases) was given SZS-AJF decoction, and the western medicine group (with 35 cases) was given venlafaxine hydrochloride sustained-release tablets. The HAMD scale score, QOL Assessment Questionnaire (GQOLI-74), and the Side-Effects Scale Score (TESS) were detected 8 weeks before and after the treatment. The results showed that there was no significant difference on the clinical efficacy between two groups. On the comprehensive assessment of QOL, the physical function dimension, mental function dimension and QOL total score of Chinese medicine group were higher than the western medicine group with significant difference (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences on the material function dimension or social function dimensions between two groups. The HAMD score, physical function dimension, mental function dimension, social function dimension and score of QOL were all higher than the pretreatment score with significant differences in both groups (P < 0.05). The TESS score in Chinese medicine group was lower than the western medicine group. And the main adverse reactions in the Chinese medicines group were nausea and vomiting. It was concluded that the herbal pair of SZS and AJF had antidepressant efficacy. It can improve the QOL among elderly patients with depression.