Curative effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on insomnia: a randomised clinical trial

In this study 120 insomnia patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group were treated once daily for 15 days with acupuncture at Baihui DU-20, Sishencong (M-HN-1), Shenmai BL-62 and Zhaohai KID-6, plus moxibustioin at Baihui DU-20 and Sishencong (M-HN-1). The patients in the control group received acupuncture once daily at Shenmen HE-7, Neiguan P-6 and Sanyinjiao SP-6. Adjunctive acupoints were included according to individual pattern as follows: Xinshu BL-15 and Pishu BL-20 for deficiency of the Heart and Spleen; Xinshu BL-15 and Danshu BL-19 for deficiency of the Heart and Gall Bladder; Xingjian LIV-2 and Taichong LIV-3 for heat caused by Liver qi stagnation; and Taixi KID-3 and Taichong LIV-3 for empty fire from yin deficiency. Results were measured according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI scores were found to be lower in both groups after treatment, with a significantly greater improvement in the experimental group in the specific criteria of sleep quality, time to fall asleep, sleeping disorder and daytime function. [Aug 2013]