[Effect of acupuncture on cancer-related depression: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride and sertraline hydrochloride alone on cancer-related depression (CRD), and to explore its action mechanism.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with CRD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. Based on the routine treatment of oncology, the patients in the control group were treated with sertraline hydrochloride tablets, 50 mg per time, once a day, and the patients in the observation group were additionally treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Taichong (LR 3), Taixi (KI 3), 20 to 40 min per time, once a day, 5 times a week. Both the treatments were given for 6 weeks. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score before treatment and after 2-week, 4-week and 6-week treatment as well as the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared before treatment, the SDS scores and HAMD scores in the two groups were reduced after 2-week, 4-week and 6-week treatment (<0.05), and SDS scores and HAMD scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the serum levels of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β in the two groups after treatment were reduced (<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the two groups after treatment were increased (<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride tablets could effectively relieve the depression state in patients with CRD, and the curative effect is better than sertraline hydrochloride tablets alone. The mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of immune-related cytokines.