Acupuncture Treatment for Insomnia and its Effect on Serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels

Abstract

The incidence of insomnia is increasing, and acupuncture is known to have a favorable therapeutic effect on insomnia, but its treatment mechanism is unclear. Patients with insomnia were recruited and randomly divided into an acupuncture treatment group and a control group using a single-blind, random number table. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, sleep-related parameters (SE, SA, and TST), and levels of inflammatory response factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were analyzed. The baseline data of the two groups were not significantly different and were comparable. Acupuncture treatment significantly improved patient PSQI (P < 0.05) and ISI scores (P < 0.05), as well as SE, SA, and TST (P < 0.05). Levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased (all P < 0.05), while IL-6 levels were decreased (P < 0.05), lasting for at least 4 weeks. Acupuncture treatment can increase the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, decrease IL-6 levels, and improve insomnia symptoms.