[Clinical observation of acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride tablets on tumor-related depression].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride and simple sertraline hydrochloride on tumor-related depression. METHODS: Sixty patients with tumor-related depression who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group, 30 patients in each group. The routine treatment in department of oncology were given in both groups, oral sertraline hydrochloride (25 mg daily for the first 5 days, then 50 mg daily) was given in the control group; on the basis of the treatment in the control group, and acupuncture was applied at Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Shenmen (HT 7)，etc. in the observation group，twice a week .The two groups were treated continuously for 4 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score and the quality of life score (QLQ-C30 questionnaire) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the HAMD scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (both P<0.05), and the HAMD scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the symptom scores of fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, and diarrhea were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the physical, cognitive, emotional function, and the overall quality of life score were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05); in the control group, the symptom scores of insomnia decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the emotional function and overall quality of life score were higher than those before treatment (both P<0.05); in addition to economic difficulties, roles and social functions, the other scores after treatment in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of acupuncture and sertraline hydrochloride tablets is better than simple sertraline hydrochloride in the treatment of tumor-related depression, and it can improve the accompanying symptoms and improve quality of life.