The efficacy of integrative anti-depressive therapy on motor recovery after ischemic stroke - A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Studies have indicated that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve structural and functional recovery resulting from ischemic-brain damage. This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of one integrative anti-depressive Chinese medicine, Shu-Gan-Jie-Yu capsule to the Western anti-depressive medicine, fluoxetine (Prozac). Methods: Two-hundred and fifty four patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into Group A (Shu-Gan-Jie-Yu only), Group B (fluoxetine), Group C (Shu-Gan-Jie-Yu and fluoxetine), and Group D (placebo) in this double blind trial. Treatment was administered for 90 days post stroke. The main outcomes were the changes in Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale (FMMS) scores, and an increase in the proportion of the ratings 0-1 on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: After 90 days, compared to Group D (the placebo), Groups A, B and C all demonstrated improvement in mean FMMS scores showing improved motor ability (P < 0.05 for the three groups). Similarly increased the number of cases with a mRS score of 0-1 increased significantly for all 3 groups (P < 0.01) compared with placebo. Conclusion: The use of Shu-Gan-Jie-Yu (a traditional Chinese medicine) yielded similar improvements in motor recovery after ischemic stroke compared with Western medicine (fluoxetine).