A Study of Chinese Medicine Treating Depression

Summary

Chinese Medicine syndrome differentiation has been a prevalent therapy in China for thousands of years. It is based on patients' symptoms, pulse, tongue and coating on the tongue. Therefore, the syndrome of patients and corresponding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may vary.

This multicenter prospective cohort studies the efficiency and safety of TCM compared with antidepressants. A total number of 4600 cases with primary depression are expected to be collected and divided into 3 cohorts based on the patients' requirement and choices. Patients in one group will receive TCM, and patients in the other two groups will respectively receive antidepressants only and integrated treatment of TCM and antidepressants. This study has 2 phases: treating period and the follow-up.

The main purpose of this long-term study is to evaluate the efficiency of TCM compared with antidepressants in reducing relapse and suicide rate, changing lifestyle, improving patient compliance as well as the safety.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

DRUG

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Participants are treated with TCM twice per day according to syndrome differentiation. For example, the syndrome of one participant with depression is kidney deficiency. He will take Zishui Qinggan Yin twice per day before the breakfast and dinner.

DRUG

Antidepressants

Participants are treated with different antidepressants. The dosage, frequency and duration are determined according to guideline.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

  collaborator OTHER

• Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang Chinese Medicine University

  collaborator OTHER

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Capital Medical University

  collaborator OTHER

• Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Wu Xi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Qisheng Tang, MD, PHD · The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-06-30

Primary Completion

2020-05-31

Completion

2020-05-31

Countries

• China

Study Locations