Clinical observation of electroacupuncture at acupoints of the frontal region in the treatment of post-stroke depression

OBJECTIVE: To treat post-stroke depression with electroacupuncture at acupoints of the frontal region and summarize its efficacy, laying a foundation for the future use of electroacupuncture at frontal-region acupoints to treat post-stroke depression. METHODS: Sixty patients with post-stroke depression were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each. On the basis of routine stroke treatment in both groups, the observation group received electroacupuncture at frontal-region acupoints: Shenting, bilateral Benshen (Zhi San Zhen), Yintang and bilateral Sizhukong, with additions and subtractions according to syndrome differentiation. The control group received the oral Western medicine Luyoutai. Before treatment and after four weeks of treatment, all patients were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (17 items) and the TCM syndrome depression scale, and changes in the scores were observed to determine efficacy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). Comparison before and after treatment: in both the observation and control groups, HAMD and TCM syndrome scale scores after treatment differed significantly from those before treatment (P<0.05). Comparison between groups: after treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups in HAMD and TCM syndrome scale scores (P>0.05). Adverse reactions after treatment differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Time to onset of effect differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at frontal-region acupoints has a definite therapeutic effect on post-stroke depression, with faster onset and fewer and milder adverse reactions, and is suitable for clinical application.