Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) in the light of syndrome differentiation. Methods A total of 300 PSD patients were randomized into acupuncture group and medication group

with 150 cases in each group.For patients of acupuncture group

Sishencong (EX-HN 1)

Baihui (GV 20)

Shenting (GV 24)

etc.were punctured combined with other acupoints according to different syndromes

once daily for 2 months.For patients of medication group

fluoxetine (20 mg/d) was administered orally

continuously for 2 months.Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate changes of PSD patients' state after the treatment. Results After the treatment

the scores of HAMD in both groups decreased significantly ( P<0.05 )

and that of acupuncture group was remarkably lower than that of medication group ( P<0.05 ). Of the two 150 PSD patients in medication and acupuncture groups

35 (23.3%) and 16 (10.7%) cases were cured

82(54.7%) and 41(27.3%)had a marked improvement

17(11.3%) and 57(38.0%) had an improvement

and 16(10.7%) and 36(24.0%) were ineffective

with the total effective rates being 89.3% and 76.0% respectively.Chi-square test showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture was significantly superior to that of medication group ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion Acupuncture is effective in improving post-stroke depression in PSD patients.