Objective To observe the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count, emotion and burn injury healing of patients with moderate and severe burn injury and anxiety-depression symptoms. Methods In-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were selected from 2003.4 to 2005.2 and then divided into anxiety-depression group and control group according to their anxiety-depression scores by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) 3 days after being burnt. Routine therapy was given to two groups, which lasted 1 month. Their scores of anxiety and depression and the degree of injury healing were observed, and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count were measured in the two groups. Results Fifty-one in-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were divided into the anxiety-depression group (24 cases) and the control group (27 cases). After 30-day treatment, the depression scores did not decrease in the anxiety-depression group (P=0.12), but the anxiety scores decreased (P=0.00). In the anxiety-depression group, the burn injury healing time was postponed (P=0.00), the serum levels of TNF-α increased (P=0.00), and the platelet 5-HT levels decreased (P=0.04) before and after treatment. Conclusion Depressive reaction occurs in patients with moderate and severe burn injury, which is a continuously negative emotion. It can lead to high levels of serum TNF-α, reduction in platelet 5-HT, and delayed burn injury healing time. Due to the limited sample size and different location of patients, there may be some bias in this conclusion. We are prepared to increase the sample size and select patients in the same region in further relevant studies.
Objective To investigate the effect of music therapy plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors （SSRIs） on emotion and bum wound healing in bum patients. Methods Moderate and severe bum inpatient.s, aged 12-60 years were selected. Emotional problems were then measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety within three days after bum injury. Bum patients with depression and anxiety were randomly allocated into the trial group （28 patients） and the control group （27 patients）. Music therapy and SSRIs plus conventional burn care Were applied to the trial group, and conventional bum care to the control group, both for 30 days. The scores of anxiety, depression and the degree of bum wound healing were assessed. Results The differences of depression score and anxiety score before and after treatment were 13. 7 ±6.43 and 6.43 ±2.72 respectively in the trial group, and 4. 74 ±6.75 and 4.44 ±3.36 respectively in the control group. This showed both scores significantly improved compared with the control group （P 〈0. 05）. The time for burn wound healing was shortened in the treatment group （P 〈0. 05）. The anxiety score was positively correlated with bum index, and so was the depression score （P 〈 0.05 ）. Conclusions The anxiety and depression scores are positively correlated with the burn index. Music therapy plus SSrIs can ameliorate the emotional problems （ depression and anxiety）, and shorten the time for burn wound heating.