Efficacy observation of acupoint application combined with psychological intervention in elderly patients with mild liver-qi stagnation depression

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The objective was to propose a safer and more effective treatment method for mild liver-qi stagnation syndrome depression in elderly patients.

Methods A total of 70 elderly patients were recruited from the outpatient or inpatient departments of our hospital between July and December 2022 and were randomly divided into two groups, with 35 in each. The control group received sertraline, and the observation group received acupuncture point application combined with psychological intervention. The course of treatment was 10 days for four consecutive courses of treatment. Following courses 1, 2, and 4, the patients’ Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) scores were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test and the χ2 test.

Results After the end of courses 1, 2, and 4, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scale and total HAMD-24 scores were lower in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05).

Conclusion The acupoint application combined with psychological intervention has a rapid and significant effect and fewer adverse effects in liver-qi depression.

Keywords: depression; acupoint application; psychological intervention; liver qi stagnation type