Abstract
Introduction : We conducted a study on patients with depressive tendencies who are overshadowed by patients with depression and may be overlooked by physicians in psychological treatment. These patients account for approximately 40% of the entire inpatients with vertigo and should not be overlooked in treatment. Objective and Methods : Investigation was conducted to clarify the details of Quality of Life (QOL) (Physical Component Summary [PCS] and Mental Component Summary [MCS]) improvement by the combination therapy of group vestibular rehabilitation and a therapeutic agent for vertigo, Hochuekkito. The patients underwent Self-rated Depression Scales (SDS) test before the hospital treatment and those with SDS scores of 40 or more and below 50 were included in the study. Vertiginous and psychological symptoms at four weeks after the hospital discharge were assessed in the group treated with the combined therapy of group vestibular rehabilitation with a therapeutic agent for vertigo, Hochuekkito and in the group without the administration of Hochuekkito, in order to clarify the overall therapeutic effect and the optimal treatment for vertigo according to the patient's condition. Results and Conclusion : The combined therapy of group vestibular rehabilitation with therapeutic agent for vertigo, Hochuekkito was effective in improvement of results of psychological assessments, such as SDS, QOL test (MCS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (specific anxiety), Profile of Mood States (POMS) (Anger-Hostility [A-1-1] and Total Mood Disturbance [TMD]) and showed superior improvements compared to the group without administration of Hochuekkito. Based on the improvement of QOL test (MCS) and POMS (A-H and TMD), administration of Hochuekkito 3.75 g twice daily was considered to have a sufficiently improved psychological function in patients with depressive tendencies.
