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Updated: Sep 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2023
Effects of auricular acupressure on depression in stroke patients: A single-blind randomized controlled trial
Xiao-Jun Yin1, Fan Wang2, Gao-Ping Lin1
1Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
Background And Purpose:
Post-stroke depression (PSD) has an important impact on rehabilitation, motor recovery, daily activities, social and interpersonal life, and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure (AurPrs) on depression in PSD patients.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty-six PSD patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the AurPrs group (receiving AurPrs treatment) or the sham group (receiving sham AurPrs treatment). The outcome was measured by the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF).
Results:
There was a statistically significant difference in HAMD-17 score, SDS score and WHOQOL-BREF score between both groups before and after treatment (P < 0.01). The improvement of the AurPrs group was more obvious than that of the sham group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
AurPrs could help to reduce depression levels and improve the quality of life in patients with PSD.
