ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Yang Xue Rou Gan (blood-nourishing and liver-soothing) needling method in treating post-stroke depression. Method A total of 150 patients with post-stroke depression were divided into an observation group and a control group by using the random number table, 75 cases each. In addition to the same basic treatment, the control group was intervened by Fluoxetine hydrochloride, while the observation group received Yang Xue Rou Gan needling method, twice every day, 6 d as a course at 1-day interval, for 4 weeks in total. Before and after the intervention, 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian Stroke Scale (MESSS), and activities of daily living [ADL, Barthel Index (BI)] were evaluated. Result After the intervention, HAMD, MESSS, and BI scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.05), indicating that the two groups both had improvements in depression symptoms and signs; there were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01), suggesting that the observation group had a more significant efficacy in treating depression. Conclusion Yang Xue Rou Gan needling method can notably improve the depression and neural deficit level in post-stroke depression patients.