Effects of suggestion therapy on mood and sleep quality in middle-aged women with depression

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with high rates of disability, particularly among women.

To explore the effects of suggestion therapy on anxiety, mood, and sleep-quality in middle-aged women with depression treated with escitalopram.

Overall, 102 female patients with depression aged 35-49 years were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group received oral escitalopram therapy, starting at a dose of 5 mg/day, which was gradually increased to 10-20 mg/day after 1 week for a total of 8 weeks. The experimental group received the suggested therapy based on the control group. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Profile of Mood States-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess depression, anxiety, mood status, and sleep quality.

Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the SDS, SAS, Profile of Mood States, and PSQI scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group and baseline, the SDS, SAS, tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores in the experimental group significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, hypnotics, and PSQI scores significantly increased (P < 0.05).

Suggestion therapy combined with escitalopram treatment can reduce the severity of depression and anxiety, change mood status, and improve sleep quality in middle-aged women with depression.