OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on depression with chronic pain between the simple medication of selective serotonin uptake inhibition antidepressants (SSRIs) and the combined therapy of acupuncture and SSRIs.

METHODSNinety cases of depression were randomized into an acupuncture + medication group (combined therapy of acupuncture and western medication) and a medication group (simple medication), 45 cases in each one. In the medication group, the western medicine was adopted. According to the condition of disease, SSRIs was prescribed such as fluoxetine and paroxetine. In the acupuncture + medication group, on the basic treatment of western medication, acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Shenting (BL 24), Fengchi (GB 20), etc. HAMD scale, VAS and SERS were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy in terms of depression symptoms, pain and side reactions of antidepressants before treatment and in the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment in the patients and the differences between the two groups.

RESULTSThe differences in HAMD and VAS scores were not apparent before treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). HAMD score and VAS score in the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks of treatment in the acupuncture + medication group were lower apparently than those in the medication group (all P<0.01). SERS score in the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks of treatment in the acupuncture + medication group was lower apparently than that in the medication group (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture enhances the clinical efficacy on depression with chronic pain treated with SSRI antidepressants and reduces the adverse reactions.