A Clinical Observation Of Combined Acupuncture And Medicinal Treatment In Depression Syndrome & P300 Effects

This research's aim was to observe and discuss the effects on depression patients, who was administrated Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs antidepressants), while simultaneously being treated with acupuncture. To search for and further improve treatment for depression syndrome, combined conventional medicinal treatment and acupuncture, mainly to points of the Governor Vessel (GV/Dumai), was compared to singular medicinal treatment. Analysis and discussions of data was made to clarify the mental regulating effects of Governor Vessel to depression patients, considering possibly beneficial tendencies of combined medicinal and acupuncture treatment to depression patients. To expand the clinical value of this combined treatment and its therapeutic range, discussions from established knowledge and endocrinological viewpoints was added to its analysis.60 included patients were randomly divided into groups of singular medicinal treatment (30 patients) and combined acupuncture and medicinal treatment group (30 patients). Patients in the singular conventional medicinal (control group) was orally administrated SSRIs antidepressants, over a 6 weeks period. Patients in the group of combined acupuncture and medicinal treatment (treatment group), was given acupuncture to Baihui/GV20, Yintang/EX-HN3, Fengfu/GV16, Fengchi/GB20 (bilaterally), Dazhui/GV14, Neiguan/PC6 (bilaterally), Sanyinjiao/SP6 (bilaterally). This formula was punctured 1 time/2 days,3times/week, treatment was given for 6 weeks. In addition, the treatment group was given acupuncture according to Chinese Medicine patterns with following standard:Heart & Spleen deficiency,+Zusanli/ST36; Liver Qi stagnation,+Taichong/LR3; Disturbance of toxic phlegm-heat,+Fenglong/ST40+Taichong/LR3; Yin deficiency with flaring up of fire,+Taixi/KI3+Ganshu/BL19+Shenshu/BL23. Each group was treated for 6 weeks, then summarizing both groups'results and statistically analyse them. Presently, depression syndrome is mainly treated with conventional western medicine, where as antidepressants can positively change these patients symptoms. But still this media does not prevent reoccurrence and multiple side-effects like, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nervousness, overexcitement, pensiveness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, impaired digestion and diarrhoea; also reported are:anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, trembling, faint from fear, decreased libido and sexual dysfunction, etc. Long term administration might injure and impair the functions of GI-tractus, Live and Kidney, making administration of medicine difficult. Patients can also develop dependence upon antidepressants, from long-term usage.a. Complete recovery rate in the treatment group of combined acupuncture and medication group, is distinctively higher than in the control group of singular medication (P<0.05). The number of completely recovered patients in the treatment group, exceeded the control group with 26.7%.b. A comparison of scores, according to Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), expressed superior treatment results in the treatment group, reaching statistical significance (P<0.05)c. Symptoms of disturbed sleep showed superior improvements in the treatment group compared to the control group. Quantifying treatment results according to Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) & Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05), suggesting combined medicinal and acupuncture treatment express better results than singular medicinal treatment.d. Acupuncture can relieve and minimize the side-effects of antidepressants in treatment of depression syndrome. According to measurements made with the Asberg Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS), there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in side-effects from Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, after 6 weeks treatment (P<0.05). e. Combined acupuncture and medication, can improve the cognitive functions of depression patients. Post treatment testing of patients in both groups using Event-Related Electrical Potential P300,show statistically significant treatment results with amplitude and latency period P3 (P<0.05).f. Combined acupuncture and medicinal treatment can elevate a hypo-condition of TSH. Thyroid gland functional tests before and after treatment, showed statistical significance for both treatment and control group testing TSH (P<0.05).1. Combined treatment with acupuncture and antidepressant medication is superior to singular antidepressant medical treatment.2. Treatment with combined antidepressant administration and acupuncture, can further improve conditions of anxiety and organic symptoms, while further promote or substitute, what western medical antidepressants are deficient in.3. Combined acupuncture and medical treatment can further improve treatment of depression syndrome, while it's an ideal method for reducing western medicine's side-effects.4. Combined acupuncture and medical treatment has the positive effect of the P3 cognitive functions of depression patients.5. Combined acupuncture and medical treatment can elevate a hypo-condition of TSH.