Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on perimenopausal depression between the combined treatment with acupuncture at the "thirteen ghost points" and kaixin powder and the single application of kaixin powder.
Methods: A total of 60 patients with mild perimenopausal depression were randomized into a Chinese medication group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a combined treatment group (acupuncture and Chinese medication, 30 cases). In the Chinese medication group, the modified kaixin powder was administered, one dose a day, taking in the morning and the evening separately. In the combined treatment group, on the base of the treatment as the Chinese medication group, acupuncture was applied to the "thirteen ghost points" invented by SUN Si-miao, e.g. Shuigou (GV 26), Shaoshang (LU 11), Yinbai (SP 1), Daling (PC 7), Shenmai (BL 62), Jiache (ST 6), Chengjiang (CV 24), Laogong (PC 8), Shangxing (GV 23), etc. The needles were withdrawed after the qi was acquired, and acupuncture was given once every two days, 3 times a week. In both of the groups, the consecutive treatment for 12 weeks was required. Separately, before treatment, after treatment and in 1-month follow-up visit, the score of the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), the score of the self-rating depression scale (SDS) and the score of the perimenopausal Kupperman were observed in the two groups. In 12 weeks of treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups.
Results: After treatment and during the follow-up, HAMD, SDS and Kupperman scores were all reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). These scores in the combined treatment group were all lower than those in the Chinese medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the combined treatment group, better than 78.6% (22/28) in the Chinese medication group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Either the combined treatment with acupuncture at the "thirteen ghost points" and kaixin powder or the single application of kaixin powder is effective on perimenopausal depression. The therapeutic effect of the combined treatment of acupuncture and Chinese medication is superior to the simple application of kaixin powder.
Keywords: SUN Si-miao; acupuncture; depression; kaixin powder; perimenopausal stage; thirteen ghost points.