Clinical Observation On Acupuncture Effect For The Deficiency Pattern Of Refractory Isomnia

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to observe the recent and forward curative effect and safety of the deficiency pattern of refractory isomnia treated with Shenmai(BL62), Zusanli(ST36) and Yinlingquan(SP9). Another aim was to clear the features and advantages of this group points to provide reliable evidence for the clinical application.Methods66cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a test group and a control group,33cases in each group. The patients in the test group were treated with acupuncting at Shenmai(BL62), Zusanli(ST36) and Yinlingquan(SP9), as while the control group were treated by regular acupuncture. In both two groups, the treatment would be done once a day except weekends for2weeks, with two followup surveys in3months.Resultsa. By Wilcoxon Rank-sum Test, the improvement rate of the test group was significantly different with the one of control group(P<0.05). Test group was87.88%and control group was72.73%.b. After treatment, the total PSQI score was decreased significantly compared with that before treatment. By t-test, differences between the two groups showed highly statistical significance(P<0.01). The test group improved the clinical symptoms better than the control group.c. After treatment, the score of every PSQI component was decreased significantly compared with that before treatment. By t-test, difference of the improvement between the two groups with sleep quality, sleep latency and sleep disorders (P>0.05) is not significant; difference of the treatment between the two groups with sleep time (P <0.05), sleep efficiency (P<0.01) and daytime dysfunction (P<0.01) was significant. It meant that the test group obtained better effect; d. After two weeks of treatment, the total PSQI score decreased in the two groups. The improvement of insomnia with the two treatment methods (P>0.05) has no significant difference and the effect was equal. After4weeks of treatment, the improvement of insomnia with the two treatment methods (P><0.01) has highly significant difference and the effect of test group was significantly better than the control group;e. In both group, compared the scores of every PSQI component after treatment with that before treatment by paired Wilcoxon Rank-sum Test, the difference was significant. It meant that the method of test group could improve the symptoms of insomnia.f. After follow-up study, score of the total PSQI was decreased significantly compared with that after treatment. By t-test, difference of the improvement between the two groups was not significant. So both methods obtained long-term effects. g. In the course of treatment, the vital signs of the66patients did not change abnormally and no adverse event occurred. So the treatment was safe.ConclusionThis clinical study proved that the group of acupuncture points with Shenmai (BL62), Zusanli (ST36) and Yinlingquan (SP9) in treating the deficiency pattern of refractory insomnia was effective and safe. And this group of acupuncture points had the features and advantages with less acupoints, faster therapeutic effect, and the treatment was more durable and stable. As a result, it was worthy of clinical application for the group of acupuncture points with Shenmai(BL62), Zusanli(ST36) and Yinlingquan(SP9) in treating the deficiency pattern of refractory insomnia.