TCM five phase music therapy in ischemic stroke patients with depression

A new study that was published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to analyze the effectiveness of five-phase music therapy in patients suffering from depression after having ischemic stroke.

The study was conducted by grouping a total of 92 patients with post-stroke depression into the control group (32 cases), treatment group A (30 cases), and treatment group B (30 cases).

Participants in each group were treated for cerebral infarction, which is a condition that results from a blockage in the arteries that transport blood and oxygen to the brain.

The control group was given 50 milligrams of oral sertraline hydrochloride every day.

Groups A and B, on the other hand, were given a needling treatment at Baihui (GV 20) plus acupoint injection at Yanglingquan (GB 34) each day.

Treatment group B was also given music therapy based on the five phases of traditional Chinese medicine twice daily.

The treatments were given for five days per treatment cycle for three cycles, with a one-day interval for each treatment cycle.

The researchers measured Hamilton’s depression scale (HAMD-17) and the activities of daily life (ADL) score for all three groups preceding and following the treatments. The side effects were identified via the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale.

The HAMD-17 score markedly dipped in all three groups after they were administered the various treatments, with the post-treatment reduction significantly higher in treatment group B than in treatment group A (P < 0.01).

The ADL score was markedly heightened in all three groups, with the post-treatment surge higher in treatment group B than in treatment group A (P < 0.01).

The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale score was greatest in the control group, lowest in group B, and was slightly different among the three groups (P < 0.01).

The researchers concluded that five-phase music therapy, coupled with acupoint needling and acupoint injection can alleviate the symptoms in patients with post-stroke depression.