Clinical Observation and Mechanism Analysis of Chaihu Shugan Powder Used in Patients with Post-stroke Depression

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Chaihu Shugan Powder in patients with post-stroke depression(PSD),and to explore its mechanism.Methods:94 PSD patients were grouped randomly into Chaihu Shugan Powder group and fluoxetine group,and the clinical efficacy was evaluated with the HAMD scale,the serum monoamine neurotransmitter levels were determined,and the adverse reactions were assessed with the TESS scale after 4 weeks of treatment.Results:There was no significant difference(P0.05)between two groups in clinical efficacy.HAMD score was improved significantly(P0.01)in both groups after treatment,but there was no significant difference between two groups.Serum monoamine neurotransmitter levels were increased significantly(P0.05 or P0.01)in both groups after treatment,but there was no significant difference between two groups.The Chaihu Shugan Powder group had fewer adverse reactions than the fluoxetine group(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion:Chaihu Shugan Powder is effective and safe in treating PSD,and its mechanism may be related to the increased serum monoamine neurotransmitter levels in PSD patients.