Effects of suggestion therapy on mood and sleep quality in middle-aged women with depression.

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with high rates of disability, particularly among women.

Aim: To explore the effects of suggestion therapy on anxiety, mood, and sleep-quality in middle-aged women with depression treated with escitalopram.

Methods: Overall, 102 female patients with depression aged 35-49 years were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group received oral escitalopram therapy, starting at a dose of 5 mg/day, which was gradually increased to 10-20 mg/day after 1 week for a total of 8 weeks. The experimental group received the suggested therapy based on the control group. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Profile of Mood States-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess depression, anxiety, mood status, and sleep quality.

Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the SDS, SAS, Profile of Mood States, and PSQI scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group and baseline, the SDS, SAS, tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores in the experimental group significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, hypnotics, and PSQI scores significantly increased (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Suggestion therapy combined with escitalopram treatment can reduce the severity of depression and anxiety, change mood status, and improve sleep quality in middle-aged women with depression.