Effects of Korean Medical Intensive Treatment Program on Geriatric Depression Disorder

Objectives: As the elderly population grows and the prevalence of depression increases, the incidence of geriatric depression disorder will continue to increase. The effect of an intensive Korean medicine treatment program on geriatric depression disorder was studied. Methods: Geriatric depression disorder patients who received treatment over a period of three years were reviewed, with the geriatric depression score (GDS) used as the primary outcome. The intensive Korean medical treatment program applied to the geriatric depression disorder patients consisted of herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, meditation, qigong exercises, and reminiscence therapy. Results: The GDS scores of patients who received the intensive Korean medical treatment program decreased from an average of 19.57 (${\pm}5.52$) to 15.76 (${\pm}6.99$) and there was a significant difference. Conclusions: When the intensive Korean medical treatment program was applied to geriatric depression disorder patients, the symptoms of depression improved. This treatment program will be helpful for improving symptoms in patients and can be applied by trained clinicians.

노인성우울증에 대한 한방 집중치료 프로그램의 효과