Effect of electroacupuncture on therapeutic effects and onset time of paroxetine for mild or moderate depression patients

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on onset time and effectiveness of Paroxetine for mild or moderate depression patients and on the scores of Hamilton depression rating scale for depression(HAMD) and self-rating depression scale(SDS). Methods Fifty-five patients with mild or moderate depression were randomly divided into A group( Paroxetine group,29 patients) and B group (Electroacupuncture combining with Paroxetine group,26 patients). Therapeutic periods for the two groups were 6 weeks. HAMD and SDS were used to evaluate the efficacy before the research and after treatment on 1 week,2 weeks,4 weeks,6 weeks.Results HAMD scores and SDS scores for A group were significant difference after 2 weeks treatment compared with the beginning of the research (P＜ 0.05 ) ;HAMD scores and SDS scores for B group were significant difference after 1 week treatment compared with the beginning of the research(P＜0. 05 ). Total effective rate of HAMD for A group was 71.4% ,total effective rate of SDS for A group was 75% ,total effective rate of HAMD for B group was 88% ,total effective rate of SDS for B group was 84%. The total effective rate between the two groups ordered by the individual chi-square test was significant difference( X2 = 4. 1790, P= 0. 0408). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can shorten the onset time and increase the effectiveness of paroxetine for mild or moderate depression patients. Key words: Depression;  Electroacupuncture;  Paroxetine;  Hamilton depression rating scale for depression ( HAMD );  Self-rating depression scale (SDS)