Application of Horticultural Therapy Combined with Acupressure in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Accompanied by Depression

doi:10.12104/j.issn.1674-4748.2025.18.018

Abstract：Objective: To observe the effect of horticultural therapy combined with acupressure on patients with generalized anxiety disorder accompanied by depression. Methods: A total of 147 patients with generalized anxiety disorder accompanied by depression were selected from the acupuncture department, psychosomatic medicine department, and 10 community health centers of the hospital between October 2022 and December 2023. They were randomly divided into three groups according to the random number table method: horticultural group (n=49), acupressure group (n=48), and combination group (n=50). All three groups received basic treatment. The horticultural group received horticultural therapy in addition to basic treatment; the acupressure group received acupressure therapy in addition to basic treatment; and the combination group received both horticultural therapy and acupressure therapy in addition to basic treatment, with an intervention period of 8 weeks. The scores of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and resting motor threshold (rMT) were compared before and after treatment. Follow-up was conducted for 6 months to evaluate HAMA and SAS scores. Results: After treatment, the HAMA and SDS scores of all three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), with statistically significant differences among the groups (P<0.05). The serum levels of CRH, CORT, and ACTH in all three groups were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05), with statistically significant differences among the groups (P<0.05). The rMT values of all three groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and the rMT value of the combination group was lower than that of the other two groups, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After a 6-month follow-up, the HAMA and SDS scores of the combination group were significantly lower than those of the horticultural and acupressure groups, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Horticultural therapy combined with acupressure can effectively improve the anxiety and depressive states of patients with generalized anxiety disorder accompanied by depression, showing good clinical efficacy.