OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy differences among warming-promotion acupuncture, regular acupuncture and psychological care for post-earthquake depression.

METHODSNinety cases of post-earthquake depression in Gansu province were randomly divided into a warming-promotion acupuncture group, a regular acupuncture group and a care group, 30 cases in each one. The psychological treatment was applied in the care group; the regular acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1)), Fengchi (GB 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) was used in the regular acupuncture group; based on the treatment of regular acupuncture group, the warming-promotion acupuncture was applied in the warming-promotion acupuncture group, once a day. Ten days were taken as one course with an interval of two days between two courses. Totally 3 treatment courses were completed. The Hamilton depression (HAMD) scale before and after treatment in each group was observed while the efficacy was analyzed.

RESULTSAll three treatments were effective for depression. The total cured rate was 86.67% (26/30) in the warming-promotion acupuncture group, which was obviously superior to 50.00% (15/30) in the regular acupuncture group (P < 0.01) and 33.33% (10/30) in the care group (P < 0.001). After the treatment, the score of HAMD was all reduced in three groups, in which the effect in warming-promotion acupuncture group was superior to that in the regular acupuncture group and care group (9.02 +/- 2.37 vs 10.73 +/- 2.28 and 11.05 +/- 2.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe warming-promotion acupuncture has positive effect on post-earthquake depression, which has special effect and is worthy of clinical generalization and application.