Clinical study on treatment of depression with combined acupuncture and antidepressant

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of using acupuncture combined with paroxetine treating depressive patients.Methods: A controlled study was carried out between 57 patients who met the CCCMD-3 criteria of major depression and depressed episode.The 29 of total patients were treated with acupuncture combined with paroxetine (10mg/d) and others were treated with simple paroxetine (20mg/d) for 6 weeks.The efficacy were assessd by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA),Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the safety was assessed by Treatment Emergent Symtom Scale (TESS).Results:After 6 weeks treatment,the improvement rate and significant improvement rate of acupuncture plus paroxetine group and paroxetine group were 86.21% and 62.06%;82.14% and 57.14%,respectively ( P 0.05).The efficacy strated after 7 days treatment in acupuncture plus paroxetine group.The scores of HAMD and HAMA in two groups were statistical difference before and after treatment ( P 0.01).There was no difference between two groups ( P 0.05).There were lower side effects in acupuncture plus paroxetine group than that in paroxetine group.Conclusion:Acupuncture plus antidepressant is an effective method which is suitable for clinical use.