[Comparative study of electro-acupuncture and maprotiline in treating depression].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) and maprotiline (Map) in treating depression.


METHODS
Thirty patients of depression were treated with EA and 31 patients with Map orally taken respectively. The therapeutic effect and side-effect were evaluated by measurement of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Self-Rating Scale for Depression (SDS), Self-Rating Scale for Anxiety (SAS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) and Asberg Rating Scale for side-effects (ARS) before treatment and on the day 14, 28 and 42 of the therapeutic course.


RESULTS
After treatment, the scores of HAMD and SDS lowered significantly (P < 0.01) than before treatment, and with insignificant difference between the group (P > 0.05). For patients with somatic syndrome, the HAMD score decrease rate was obviously higher in the Map group than that in the EA group. However, for the patients with anxiety somatization syndrome, the score of SAS, ARS in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the Map group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the efficacy index was higher in the EA group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Both EA and Map are effective in treating depression.
Han
Cui
C
Acupuncture and Moxibustion School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029.
Li
Xue-wu
XW
Luo
He-chun
HC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008376:Maprotiline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D008376:Maprotiline