The University of Hong Kong

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Randomised acupuncture study for post stroke depression

You are invited to join a clinical study jointly organized by Kowloon Hospital and School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.

Mood depression is a common and serious consequence of stroke. There are approximately 30% of stroke patients developing post stroke depression (PSD), which is strongly associated with the poor prognosis and an increased disability. Current treatment with anti-depressant is limited by the unsatisfactory effectiveness and side effects, particular in the elderly people. Pharmacotherapy related side effects particularly on cardiovascular system, may exacerbate stroke patients’ conditions. Furthermore, stroke patients are often medicated with various classes of drugs, the addition of antidepressant agents may increase risk of drug-drug interactions, resulting in unexpected and unpredictable adverse events. The development of alternative treatment strategies for PSD patients is therefore highly desired.

This research project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong / Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster and Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Authority Kowloon Central/Kowloon East Cluster. The study will be conducted in Kowloon Hospital and School of Chinese Medicine Clinics.

Principle investigator: Prof. ZHANG Zhang-Jin, School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; Dr. YU Kim Kam, Teresa, Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital.

Contact Information：If any problems happen during the course of study, you can directly contact 9881 4021or email to hku.scm.trial@gmail.com.

Introduction

Acupuncture possesses psychotropic potential in treating psychiatric symptoms, in particular depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Our systematic review with meta-analysis suggests that the clinical outcome of acupuncture is superior to pharmacotherapy in improving clinical response and reducing the severity of PSD, with fewer incidences of adverse events. Most recently, our pilot study further confirms that dense cranial electro-acupuncture stimulation (DCEAS) is effective in reducing stroke patients’ depressive symptoms; together with body acupuncture the neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke can be further reduced.

Aims of the study

To further determine whether a combination of dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation (DCEAS) and body acupuncture could produce better clinical outcomes in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD); whether the clinical efficacy of acupuncture intervention is correlated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based diagnostic subtypes.

Description of the study

For the acupuncture treatments, they will be carried out three times a week, for a consecutive of 8 weeks, meaning 24 sessions in total. Investigators will perform clinical assessments at baseline, and every four weeks thereafter during the study period.

Anticipated duration

The study will be conducted over a period of 2 years.

Fees for participation and remuneration

You will not be charged for the acupuncture treatments and clinical assessments. You will receive allowance for your transportation upon finishing the whole course of acupuncture treatments and assessments.

Application & Enquiries

You can directly contact 9881 4021 or email to hku.scm.trial@gmail.com.