Comparative Effects of Two Acupuncture Protocols in the Management of Chronic Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

IF 3.4 2区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Nature and Science of Sleep Pub Date : 2025-08-07 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.2147/NSS.S521578

Lianbo Li, Mingyue Xia, Xinyu Chen, Fengxiao Wang, Jie Li, Na Zhao, Zhen Liu, Yunfei Chen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Chronic Insomnia Disorder (CID) significantly impairs both sleep quality and daytime functioning. However, current treatments have limited efficacy in improving daytime function and are often associated with side effects. This highlights the urgent need for effective and safe therapeutic approaches that can target both nocturnal and daytime symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning in patients with chronic insomnia, and to optimize its treatment protocol.

Methods: This study was a single-blind, randomised, controlled trial. The treatment group received acupuncture at HT7, BL15, LR3 and BL18, while the control group was treated at GV20, EX-HN22, BL62 and KI6. Each group underwent 10 sessions administered three times per week. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) served as the primary evaluation index for sleep efficacy, while the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were secondary indexes for sleep quality. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate daytime functional impairment.

Results: Totally 76 patients were included in this study and randomly assigned to the treatment group (n=38) and the control group (n=38). Both groups showed significant improvements in sleep quality and daytime functioning. The treatment group exhibited a mean ISI reduction of 7.58 points versus 5.71 points in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. PSG data revealed similar improvements in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and REM sleep percentage across groups. Notably, the treatment group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in BAI and BDI scores (p<0.05), while improvements in FSS and ESS scores were comparable.

Conclusion: Acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment to improve sleep as well as daytime functioning for chronic insomnia. The protocol using HT7, BL15, LR3 and BL18 may offer added benefits for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Clinical trial registration: This study was registered with the China Clinical Trial Registry (CCTR), registration ID: ChiCTR2200066102.

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两种针刺治疗慢性失眠的比较效果：一项随机对照试验。

背景：慢性失眠障碍（CID）显著损害睡眠质量和白天功能。然而，目前的治疗方法在改善白天功能方面效果有限，而且往往伴有副作用。这突出了迫切需要有效和安全的治疗方法，可以针对夜间和白天的症状。目的：评价针刺改善慢性失眠症患者睡眠质量和日间功能的临床疗效和安全性，并优化其治疗方案。方法：本研究为单盲、随机对照试验。治疗组针刺HT7、BL15、LR3、BL18，对照组针刺GV20、EX-HN22、BL62、KI6。每组进行10次治疗，每周三次。失眠严重程度指数（ISI）是评价睡眠效果的主要指标，匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）和多导睡眠图（PSG）是评价睡眠质量的次要指标。采用Beck焦虑量表（BAI）、Beck抑郁量表（BDI）、疲劳严重程度量表（FSS）和Epworth嗜睡量表（ESS）评估日间功能障碍。结果：本研究共纳入76例患者，随机分为治疗组（n=38）和对照组（n=38）。两组人的睡眠质量和日间功能都有显著改善。治疗组ISI平均降低7.58分，对照组为5.71分；然而，这种差异在统计学上并不显著。PSG数据显示，各组在总睡眠时间、睡眠效率和快速眼动睡眠百分比方面也有类似的改善。值得注意的是，治疗组的BAI和BDI评分明显下降(结论：针灸是一种有效且安全的治疗方法，可以改善慢性失眠患者的睡眠和白天功能。使用HT7、BL15、LR3和BL18的方案可能对减少焦虑和抑郁症状提供额外的益处。临床试验注册：本研究已在中国临床试验注册中心（CCTR）注册，注册ID: ChiCTR2200066102。

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来源期刊

Nature and Science of Sleep Neuroscience-Behavioral Neuroscience

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

5.90%

发文量

245

审稿时长

16 weeks

期刊介绍： Nature and Science of Sleep is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal covering all aspects of sleep science and sleep medicine, including the neurophysiology and functions of sleep, the genetics of sleep, sleep and society, biological rhythms, dreaming, sleep disorders and therapy, and strategies to optimize healthy sleep. Specific topics covered in the journal include: The functions of sleep in humans and other animals Physiological and neurophysiological changes with sleep The genetics of sleep and sleep differences The neurotransmitters, receptors and pathways involved in controlling both sleep and wakefulness Behavioral and pharmacological interventions aimed at improving sleep, and improving wakefulness Sleep changes with development and with age Sleep and reproduction (e.g., changes across the menstrual cycle, with pregnancy and menopause) The science and nature of dreams Sleep disorders Impact of sleep and sleep disorders on health, daytime function and quality of life Sleep problems secondary to clinical disorders Interaction of society with sleep (e.g., consequences of shift work, occupational health, public health) The microbiome and sleep Chronotherapy Impact of circadian rhythms on sleep, physiology, cognition and health Mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms, centrally and peripherally Impact of circadian rhythm disruptions (including night shift work, jet lag and social jet lag) on sleep, physiology, cognition and health Behavioral and pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing adverse effects of circadian-related sleep disruption Assessment of technologies and biomarkers for measuring sleep and/or circadian rhythms Epigenetic markers of sleep or circadian disruption.