Therapeutic Potential of Shugan Jieyu Capsule and Group Psychological Counseling for Alexithymia and Neuroimmune Dysfunction in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) experience a high psychological burden, with frequent occurrences of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression. These psychological issues are increasingly associated with disruptions in neuroimmune and neuroendocrine pathways. This review examines the basis and supporting data for using a combined approach of Shugan Jieyu Capsule (SJC) and group psychological counseling (GPC) to target both the psychological and biological aspects of this complex condition.Methods: A synthesis of existing literature was conducted, focusing on the pathophysiology of alexithymia in HD patients, the pharmacological effects of SJC, the therapeutic mechanisms of GPC, and the role of biomarkers such as Orphanin FQ (OFQ), Interleukin-۲ (IL-۲), Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH), Neurogranin, and soluble Fractalkine (sCX۳CL۱).Results: Recent evidence indicates that a combined strategy of SJC and GPC is more effective than standard care alone. This integrated approach has been found to significantly reduce symptoms of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression; enhance sleep quality, self-care capacity, and social functioning; and improve overall quality of life. Importantly, these psychological improvements are associated with changes in key biomarkers, including decreased serum levels of OFQ, IL-۲, CRH, Neurogranin, and sCX۳CL۱, suggesting a positive effect on stress response, synaptic function, and neuroinflammation.Conclusion: The combination of Shugan Jieyu Capsule and group psychological counseling represents a promising, multi-targeted strategy for managing the psychosomatic challenges in hemodialysis patients. This method not only improves clinical symptoms but also appears to address underlying neuroimmune and neuroendocrine imbalances, offering a holistic approach to enhancing patient outcomes in ESRD care.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hemodialysis ، alexithymia ، depression ، anxiety ، Shugan Jieyu Capsule ، Group Psychological Counseling ، Neuroimmunology ، Biomarkers