Effect of integrative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine intervention on patients with type 2 diabetes and co-morbid depression in community

Objective To explore the effects of integrative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine intervention on quality of life(QOL),depression symptom,and main biochemical parameters among the patients with type 2 diabetes melltius(T₂DM)comorbid depression in community. Methods Totally 130 patients with T₂DM and comorbid depression were divided into three groups randomly.The integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine group(n=43)received routine community health nursing and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including Qigong.Baduanjin,ear acupressure, and TCM diebetic therapy.The community health care group(n=44)received routine community health nursing.The control group(n=43)received guidance from the doctor in consulting room of community hospital only.QOL(quality of life scale for patients with T2 DM,DMQLS)and depression(Self-rating Depression Scale,SDS)and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA₁c)of the three groups were evaluated at baseline and 6th and 12th week of the imtervention. Results At 12th week, the total score,psychlological domain and satisfaction domain score in DMQLS of integrative TCM and western medicine group were higher than those of community health care group and control group(F=13.528,17.892,8.899,P<0.001). The SDS score of integrative TCM and western medicine group was lower than that of community health care group and control group(F=10.419,P<0.001).HbA₁c of integrative TCM and western medicine group was lower than that of control group(F=3.159,P<0.05).Compared with the baseline,HbA₁c of integrative TCM and western medicine group was lower at 12th week(t=4.731,P<0.001). Conclusion Among the patients with T₂DM and comorbid depression, integrative TCM and western medicine community health care can promote their QOL and relieve their depression symptoms as well as stabilize their blood glucose.