Controlled Study on Antidepressant Treatment of Patients with Post-stroke Depression

Objective: To study the effect of antidepressant in treatment of patients with PSD (post-stroke depression) Method: 121 patients with PSD in their rehabilitation period were stratified by results of HAMD and then randomly divided into two groups, the study group (n=64) received Paroxetine 20 mg daily, the control group (n=57) received placebo After 4 months, the result was assessed with HAMD, CSS and ADL (activity of daily living) Result: In the period of rehabilitation of stroke, the degree of neurological impairment (CSS score) was positively correlated to depression (r=0 99, P0 05) In study group, the effective rate was 87 5%, the rate of fully recovery was 48 4%, the average score of ADL was 69 7±8 1 In control group, the effective rate was 26 3%, that of fully recovery was 7 0%, the average score of ADL was 50 1±7 4 The above differences of the counterparts between the two groups were statistically significant Conclusion: Depression has great influence on rehabilitation of stroke, antidepressant treatment is helpful in recovery