Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of the rational-emotive-behavior therapy (REBT) on mood, cognition and activities of dailyliving (ADL) of patients with poststroke depression (PSD). Methods 80 PSD patients were divided into control group (n=40) and observationgroup (n=40). Both groups were given Prozac (20 mg/d) for 8 weeks, and the observation group received REBT (3 times per week, 20min every time) additionally. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel Index(BI) were evaluated before and after treatment. Results After 8-week treatment, the scores of HAMD in two groups reduced significantly(P<0.01), and the scores of MMSE and BI increased significantly (P<0.01). The scores of HAMD were lower in the observation group thanin the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of MMSE and BI were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). TheBI score was related with sleeping disorder in control group (P<0.05). The BI score was both related with sleeping disorder and somatizationin the observation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the extent of effectiveness on depression between two groups(P>0.05), but there was the trend that the efficacy of the observation group was better than the control group. Conclusion REBT combinedwith antidepressant drugs can better relieve the symptoms of depression and improve cognitive function and ADL of PSD patients. The improvementof somatization and sleep disorders by REBT has a relationship with the enhancement of ADL.

Key words: poststroke depression, rational-emotive-behavior therapy, cognition, activities of daily living