OBJECTIVETo verify the efficacy on Parkinson's disease combined with depression treated with electroacupuncture and medication and to explore the therapeutic mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases of Parkinson's disease combined with depression were randomized into an acupuncture + medication group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional therapeutic program of oral administration of madopar and fluoxetine was applied in both groups. In the acupuncture + medication group, on the basic treatment as the above, electroacupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. The level of the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the score of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were observed and compared before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. The efficacy was assessed in two groups.

RESULTSThe level of BDFN was improved significantly after treatment as compared with that before treatment in two groups (both P < 0.05) and the result in the acupuncture + medication group was superior to the medication group (P < 0.05). HAMD scores were reduced significantly after treatment as compared with those before treatment in two groups (both P < 0.05) and the result in the acupuncture + medication group was superior to the medication group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the acupuncture + medication group, which was better than 83.3% (25/30) in the medication group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of electroacupuncture and medication achieves the significant efficacy on Parkinson's disease combined with depression. This therapy regulates effectively serum BDNF level, relieves depression symptoms of the patients. The efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with medication is superior to the simple medication.