Objective To examine the impact of regulating Du meridian and dredging brain acupuncture method on anxiety state of patients with post stroke depression. Methods Sixty-two patients with post stroke depression were randomized into an observation group and a control group

with 31 cases in each group. In addition to the medication of cerebral infarction secondary prevention

the observation group was given regulating Du meridian and dredging brain acupuncture method every day. The control group was given escitalopram oxalate tablet orally every day.Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Hamilton Anxiety Scale（ HAMA） and Selfrating Anxiety Scale（ SAS） werecompared in both groups before treatment and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. The scores of Barthel Index（ BI） and Nerve Function Defect Scale（ NDS） before and 8 weeks after treatment were compared. Side effect was examined.Results The scores of SAS and HAMA in both groups 4 and 8 weeks after treatment were lower than those before treatment（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. There was no significant difference between the two groups（ P > 0. 05）. The scores of BI in both groups 8 weeks after treatment were higher than those before treatment

while the scores of NDS were lower than those before treatment（ P < 0. 01）. The scores of NDS in the observation group was lower than those in the control group（ P < 0. 01）. There was no side effect in the observation group during the period of treatment.There was one case of dizziness and one case of nausea in the control group. Conclusion The improvement of anxiety state of patients with post stroke depression by treatment with regulating Du meridian and dredging brain acupuncture method is similar to that by taking escitalopram oxalate tablet. The improvement of nerve function defect by treatment with acupuncture method is superior to that by taking escitalopram oxalate tablet. Acupuncture treatment is safe.