Clinical Study on Spirit-Regulating and Root-Strengthening Acupuncture in the Treatment of Postpartum Hypogalactia Comorbid with Mild Postpartum Depression with Liver Stagnation and Spleen Deficiency Syndrome
Abstract:Objective: To observe the clinical effect of the spirit-regulating and root-strengthening acupuncture on postpartum hypogalactia (PH) comorbid with mild postpartum depression (PPD) with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods: A total of 90 patients with PH comorbid with mild PPD of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome,who visited The People's Hospital of Longhua,Shenzhen or were identified through postpartum follow-up from March to September 2025,were selected. They were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group using the random number table method,with 45 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with the spirit-regulating and root-strengthening acupuncture, and the control group was treated with conventional acupuncture. Both groups were treated for four weeks. The 24-hour lactation volume,breast fullness scores,Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy and the exclusive breastfeeding rates at one month and three months after the treatment were also compared. Results: After four weeks of treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group,and the distribution of curative effect grades was superior,with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The 24-hour lactation volume in both groups was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of breast fullness were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05);the 24-hour lactation volume in the observation group was superior to that in the control group( P<0.05),and the score of breast fullness was lower than that in the control group( P<0.05). The scores of HAMD-17 and EPDS in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); and the above scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The exclusive breastfeeding rates at one month and three months after treatment in the observation group were both higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional acupuncture,the spirit-regulating and rootstrengthening acupuncture shows better efficacy in the treatment of PH comorbid with mild PPD of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome. It can effectively promote the lactation volume, improve depressive symptoms, and increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate.