Supplemented Ganmai-Dazao decoction for malignant tumor-related depression: comparsion with flupentixol and melitracen tablets

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of supplemented Ganmai-Dazao decoction for malignant tumor correlation with depression. Methods A total of 98 patients with malignant tumor-related depression were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the random number table. The control group were treated with flupentixol and melitracen tablets (Deanxit) combined with conventional treatment, the treatment group were treated with oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine supplemented Ganmai-Dazao decoction combined with conventional treatment for 8 weeks. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the curative effect. Results The effective rate showed no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group (79.59% vs. 75.51%; χ2=0.059, P=0.809). HAMD scores in both groups were significantly decreased after the treatment than before treatment (12.8 ± 3.4 vs. 29.4 ± 4.7 in the treatment group, 12.3 ± 3.6 vs. 28.7 ± 4.5 in the control group, all P<0.05), there was no significant difference in HAMD scores after the treatment between the treatment group and the control group (t=0.707, P=0.481). Conclusion Curative effect of supplemented Ganmai-Dazao decoction is equal to flupentixol and melitracen tablets in patients with malignant tumor-related depression. Key words: Neoplasms; Depression; Antidepressive agents; Drugs, Chinese herbal; Gan Mai Da Zao Tang