OBJECTIVE: To probe into the efficacy of Wuling capsule combined with venlafaxine and acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke depression. METHODS: 66 patients with post-stroke depression admitted into neurology departments of No.971 Hospital of PLA Navy and No.960 Hospital of PLA Joint Service Support Force from May 2018 to Sept. 2019 were selected and divided into observation group and control group via random number table

with 33 cases in each group. The control group was given venlafaxine combined with acupuncture

while the observation group was treated with Wuling capsule based on the control group. After 6 weeks

difference in clinical efficacy between two groups was compared

depression and nerve injury were evaluated by Hamilton depression scale（ HAMD）

self-rating depression scale（ SDS）

Montreal cognitive assessment（ MoCA）

national institutes of health stroke scale（ NIHSS）

neurological deficiency score（ NDS） and activity of daily living（ ADL） before and after treatment

incidences of adverse drug reactions of the two groups were observed during treatment. RESULTS: After treatment

the total effective rate of depression of observation group was 93. 94%（ 31/33）

which was significantly higher than that of the control group（ 75. 76%

25/33）

with statistically significant difference（ P < 0. 05）. After treatment

the HAMD and SDS scores of both groups had been significantly decreased

while the MoCA score was significantly higher than that of before treatment

the HAMD

SDS and MoCA scores of observation group were significantly better than those of the control group

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 05）. After treatment

the NIHSS and NDS scores of both groups had been significantly decreased

while the ADL score was significantly higher than that of before treatment

the NIHSS

NDS and ADL scores of observation group were significantly better than those of the control group

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 05）. During treatment

the incidence of adverse drug reactions of observation group was 12. 12%（ 4/33）

which was slightly higher than that of the control group（ 9. 09%

3/33）

while the difference had no statistical significance（ P>0. 05）. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of Wuling capsule combined with venlafaxine and acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke depression is remarkable

which can effectively relieve negative emotion

promote the recovery of neurological function and daily living activity

improve the quality of daily live

without markedly increasing adverse drug reactions.