Guipi Decoction for Treating 30 Cases of Heart-spleen Deficiency Depression

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Guipi decoction compared with Fluoxetine for depression patients with Heart-spleen deficiency. Method: Sixty cases of patients were randomly divided into Guipi decoction group and the Fluoxetine group with 30 cases in each group. Patients were given with Fluoxetine( 20 mg,once a day) in the Fluoxetine group and Guipi decoction was given( half of one decoction,twice a day)in the treatment group. The treatment course was 6 weeks. Hamilton rating scale for depression( HAMD) and traditional chinese medicine( TCM) symptoms scale were measured at week 1,2,4,and 6 after the treatment,and the effective rate was assessed according to HAMD and TCM symptoms scale to evaluate therapeutic effects.Adverse reactions were recorded. Result: Both of the effective rates of HAMD and TCM symptoms increased in two groups along with treatment time. After the first week of treatment,the total effective rate of HAMD in Guipi group( 3. 33%) was higher than that in the Fluoxetine group( 0%)( P 0. 01). However,there was no difference for total effective rate of HAMD between groups after 2,4,or 6 weeks of treatment. The total effective rate of TCM symptoms in Guipi group were 10% and 53. 33% after first and second week of treatment respectively,which were significantly higher( P 0. 01) than that in the Fluoxetine group( 3. 33% and 16. 67%). But no difference was found for effective rate of TCM symptoms between groups after 4 or 6 weeks of treatment. Furthermore,no adverse event was found in Guipi decoction group,while 1 case was dropped out after one week of treatment because of diarrhea in the Fluoxetine group,thus indicated the adverse reaction rate was 3. 33% in the Fluoxetine group( P 0. 01). Conclusion: Compared to Fluoxetine,Guipi decoction has similar effect on improving HAMD scores and TCM symptoms for depression patients with Heart-spleen deficiency,but it has fewer adverse reactions and faster onset of action. In conclusion,Guipi decoction is safe and effective for Heart-spleen deficiency depression.