Acupuncture For Poststroke Depression:a Single-center Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To estimate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for poststroke depression(PSD).Methods The single-center randomized controlled trial was adopted.150cases of PSD were randomized into the acupuncture group(AG) and routine group(RG), All of the patients were received western medicine treatment and rehabilitation training, AG was treated with acupuncture, RG was without acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatment5times a week, the treatment of2months was required, the follow-up visit was in3months later. The HAMD,NIHSS,Barthel index and Fugl-Meyer scale were assessmented before and after treatment, and also3months following up.Results The score of HAMD, Barthel index and Fugl-Meyer scale of AG were much better than that of RG after2months treatment (P<0.05), all of the four of AG were much better than that of RG after3months following up (P<0.05)Conclusion Acupuncture is effective for PSD, it can also improve motor function, ADL and neurologic impairment.