Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen-assisted Wuyintiaoshen Therapy on Post-stroke Depression Complicated with Insomnia and Neurotransmitter Levels

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the effect of hyperbaric oxygen-assisted Wuyintiaoshen therapy on post-stroke depression complicated with insomnia and its effect on neurotransmitter levels. Methods: A total of 136 patients with post-stroke depression combined with insomnia admitted to our hospital from July 2020 to February 2023 were included and grouped according to treatment methods. 44 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen were assigned to the hyperbaric oxygen group, 47 patients receiving Wuyintiaoshen therapy were allocated to the Wuyintiaoshen group, and 45 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen combined with Wuyintiaoshen therapy were divided to the combined group. All three groups were treated for 5 weeks. After treatment, the clinical efficacy in the three groups was compared, and the effects of different treatment methods on the scores for Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were observed, and the changes of neurotransmitter levels were statistically analyzed. Results: After treatment, HAMD and PSQI scores in the three groups were decreased, the scores in the combined group were lower than those in hyperbaric oxygen group and Wuyintiaoshen group (p < 0.05), and the scores in Wuyintiaoshen group were lower than those in hyperbaric oxygen group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in three groups were increased (p < 0.05), the levels in the combined group were higher than those in hyperbaric oxygen group and Wuyintiaoshen group (p < 0.05), and the levels in the Wuyintiaoshen group were higher than those in hyperbaric oxygen group (p < 0.05). The total effective rate in combined group was higher than that in hyperbaric oxygen group and Wuyintiaoshen group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen-assisted Wuyintiaoshen therapy may have a better efficacy on patients with post-stroke depression complicated with insomnia, which can improve the degree of depression and sleep quality of patients, and promote the secretion of neurotransmitters.