OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the efficacy on depression after breast cancer operation treated with auricular point sticking therapy, the combined program of auricular point sticking therapy and TCM psychotherapy and medication with deanxit.

METHODSNinety patients were randomized into 3 groups, 30 cases in each one. In the western medication group, the simple oral administration of deanxit was applied, one tablet a day. In the auricular point group, Xin (GO15), Shen (CO10), Gan(CO12), Shenmen(TF4), Pizhixia (AT), Neifenmi (CO18) were selected and stimulated with auricular point sticking on either side in each treatment, once a week. In the combined program group, on the basis of the treatment as the auricular point group, TCM psychotherapy was combined with. The treatment of 4 weeks made one session. One session and 4 weeks follow-up were required. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) was used to compare the score before and after treatment in the patients of each group and the efficacy was assessed.

RESULTS(1) Compared with those before treatment, in 4 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks of follow-up, SDS scores were all reduced apparently in the 3 groups (all P<0.001). After 4 weeks of follow-up in the auricular point group, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks of follow-up in the combined program group, SDS scores were all lower than those in the western medication group (all P<0.05). (2) After 4 weeks of treatment, the curative rate in the combined program group was higher than that in the auricular point group and the western medication group [60.0% (18/30) vs. 40.0% (12/30), 36.7% (11/30), both P<0.05)]. After 4 weeks of follow-up, the curative rate in either the combined program group or the auricular point group was higher than that in the western medication group [60.0% (18/30), 30.0% (19/30) vs. 23.3% (7/30), both P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe auricular point sticking therapy, the combined program of auricular point sticking therapy and TCM psychotherapy, and medication with deanxit all relieve depression after breast cancer operation. The efficacy of the combined program with auricular point sticking therapy and TCM psychotherapy involved is the best, and the efficacy of the auricular point sticking therapy is better than the oral administration of deanxit.