Use of electroacupuncture to accelerate the antidepressant action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a single-blind, randomised, controlled study.

1. Patients treated with dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation (DCEAS) had a significantly greater reduction in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores and clinically significant response to treatment than those having sham acupuncture (19.4% vs.8.8%). 2. Neither sham acupuncture nor DCEAS had effects on the platelet serotonin system. 3. In the early phase of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for depressed patients, DCEAS could be used as an additional therapy. 4. Neurobiological mechanisms responsible for DCEAS effects warrant further investigation using neuroimaging.

A six-month prospective case-controlled study of the effects of the clubhouse rehabilitation model on Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the 'clubhouse' model of rehabilitation on various psychosocial issues for Chinese patients with schizophrenia living in the community. METHODS: A longitudinal, case-controlled and naturalistic design was used. A total of 92 participants were recruited via criteria-guided systematic sampling for a study lasting 6 months. Forty-six participants attending a local clubhouse programme were matched for sex and age with a control group of patients recruited from a regional outpatient clinic who were not attending a clubhouse programme. Case note reviews, standardised assessments of psychotic symptoms, depressive symptoms, quality of life, self-esteem, and locus of control were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Clubhouse participants showed significant improvements in their positive and negative scales, general psychopathology, and total scores after attending the clubhouse for 6 months. The clubhouse participants' employment rate also improved. CONCLUSION: The clubhouse model of rehabilitation may have beneficial effects on various psychiatric symptoms in Chinese patients with schizophrenia living in Hong Kong.