Abstract:Objective To explore the efficacy of visual stimuli-based phototherapy for post-stroke depression (PSD) and neurological recovery. Methods From March 2018 to November 2018, 60 patients with post-stroke depression in our hospital were selected. They were divided into 2 groups: 20 patients in the control group, with early rehabilitation and conventional antidepressant medication for post-stroke depression, and 40 patients in the study group treated with visual stimulation-based phototherapy for 1 month on the basis of the control group. The study group was again randomly divided into a 15-minute group and 30-minute group for phototherapy, 20 patients in each group. Results There were no significant differences in the Hamilton Depression Scale (Hamilton, HAMD) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores among the three groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After 1 month of treatment, the HAMD and mRS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the differences of HAMD and mRS scores before and after the treatment between the 15-minute group and the 30-minute group for phototherapy were statistically significant (P < 0.05); the differences of HAMD and mRS scores before and after the treatment between the 15-minute group and the 30-minute group for phototherapy were not statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion For patients with post-stroke depression, the use of visual stimulation-based phototherapy therapy in early rehabilitation and conventional drug therapy improve the symptoms of post-stroke depression and promote the recovery of neurological function, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.