| Background:Depression is a kind of emotional mental disorder characterized by noticeable and lasting depression,decreased activity ability,inhibition of thought and cognition Geriatric depression refers to depression that first occurs after 60 years of age.The international diagnostic standard does not list geriatric depression as an independent diagnostic category Some researchers argue that geriatric depression can be taken as a special subtype of depression,but there is no clear conclusion yet.In recent years,as the aging process of China’s population is accelerating and more elderly people live alone,the incidence of geriatric depression remains high.This disease has seriously affected the elderly’s physical and mental health and their quality of life,and it also brings high mental and financial pressure to their families and the societyIn former studies,medicine and psychotherapy were mainly used for geriatric depression,but there are still many disadvantages in those two therapies.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine,as internationally Alternative Medicine,has been widely noticed because of its advantages in the treatment of psychiatric disorders,especially acupuncture.Acupuncture,as a natural therapy,has advantages of less toxic,less side effects and quicker effect and more.Objective:With clinical experience,this study took patients with geriatric depression as subjects.We conducted random,comparative and single-blind observations.Hamilton Depression Scale-17(HAMD-17)was used in effectiveness evaluation.The aim was to observe the clinical efficacy of electro-acupuncture at EX-HN22(Anmian)and EX-HN11(Yiming)acupoints in the treatment of geriatric depression and to compare it with other commonly used clinical therapies,which were electro-acupuncture at DU20(Baihui),EX-HN3(Yintang)acupoints and orally taken western medicine,ProzacMethods and results:Methods:The chosen subj ects were from the Rehabilitation clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.Patients with geriatric depression were observed with principles of randomization,comparison and single blindness.The total number of cases was 90,divided into 3 groups.In the Electro-Nape acupuncture group,the needles were punctured at bilateral Anmian and Yiming acupoints.The depth of straight needling was about 1 inch(25mm).After needling,the positive electrodes of the two groups were connected to Anmian acupoints,and the negative electrodes were connected to opposite Yiming acupoints The needles were kept for 30 minutes every other day for 4 weeks.In the control group,the needling depth of Baihui and Yintang acupoints was about 0.5 inches(13mm),and the needling depth was about 0.5 inches(13mm).After the needling got qi,the needle was connected with electroacupuncture,Yintang was connected with positive pole,Baihui was connected with negative pole.The needle was kept for 30 minutes by 2Hz continuous wave,once every other day for 4 weeks.The medicine group took fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule 20 mg orally once a day for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,HAMD-17 scale was used to evaluate the curative effect.The total score,score reduction and efficiency before and after treatment were compared The results of the survey were analyzed by statistical descriptionResults:HAMD-17 scale was used to evaluate the treatment results before and after treatment:1.The total scores of the three groups after treatment were compared with scores before treatment,the total score of HAMD-17 after treatment in the three groups were better than that before treatment,and there was a significant difference(P<0.01).Compared with the total score of HAMD-17 after treatment among the three groups,the electro-nape acupuncture group was superior to the electro-acupuncture group and the western medicine group,and there was significant difference(P<0.01).There was no difference between the electro-acupuncture group and the western medicine group(P>0.05).2.The scores of somatic symptoms in the three groups after treatment were better than before treatment,with significant difference(P<0.01)Compared with western medicine group,electro-nape acupuncture group was superior to western medicine group in reducing scores of somatic symptoms among three groups(P<0.01)Between groups comparative,there was no difference between electro-nape acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture group,neither electro-acupuncture group and Western medicine group(P>0.05).3.The scores of sleep symptoms in the three groups were better than before treatment,and in the electro-nape acupuncture group and the electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture group shown significant difference(P<0.01),but there was no difference between the western medicine group before and after treatment(P>0.05).Compared with the scores of sleep symptoms among the three groups,the electro-nape acupuncture group was better than the electro-acupuncture group and the western medicine group,and there was significant difference(P<0.01).There was no significant difference between the electro-acupuncture group and the western medicine group(P>0.05).4.The effective rate of electro-nape acupuncture group was better than electro-acupuncture group and Western medicine group,and there was significant difference among the three groups(P<0.05)Conclusion:1.Electro-nape acupuncture at EX-HN22(Anmian)acupoint and EX-HN11(Yiming)acupoint’s effect on geriatric depression is positive.2.The therapeutic effect of Electro-Nape acupuncture at EX-HN22(Anmian)and EX-HN11(Yiming)acupoints on geriatric depression is better than that of electro-acupuncture at DU20(Baihui),EX-HN3(Yintang)acupoints and Prozac oral adminsitration,especially in improving sleep symptoms 3.The treatment of geriatric depression by Electro-nape acupuncture at EX-HN22(Anmian)and EX-HN11(Yiming)acupoints is the result of the interaction of multiple therapeutic mechanisms. |
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