Effects of Jiawei Yiqihuoxue decotion for the treatment of post stroke depression and anxiety

This study retrospectively assessed the effects of Jiawei Yiqihuoxue decotion (JWYQHXD) for the treatment of post stroke depression and anxiety (PSDA). This retrospective study included 72 patients who had undergone PSDA. All patients received flupentixol and melitracen and were divided into treatment (n = 36) and control (n = 36) groups. In addition, all the patients in the treatment group underwent JWYQHXD treatment. All patients in both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes were depression (assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale scores) and anxiety (evaluated by Hamilton anxiety scale scores). The secondary outcomes were quality of life (assessed using the 36-item short form health survey) and adverse events. We collected and analyzed the outcome data before and after treatment. After treatment, patients in the treatment group did not show greater relief on depression (Hamilton depression scale, P > .05) or anxiety (Hamilton anxiety scale, P > .05) than those in the control group. However, there were significant differences in quality of life 36-item short form health survey (physical function, P = .02; physical role, P = .01; and general health, P = .04) between the 2 groups after treatment. This study found that the JWYQHXD may help improve the quality of life of patients with PSDA. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.