Needling method of regulating wei qi and strengthening brain for insomnia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the needling method for regulating wei qi and strengthening brain on insomnia.MethodTwo hundred patients with insomnia were randomly divided into a group of regulating wei qi and strengthening brain (group A) and a group of normal acupuncture (group B) through random number table method, with 100 cases in each group. In group A, Băihuì ( GV 20), Dàzhuī ( GV 14), Shēnmài ( BL 62), Zhàohăi ( KI 6) and auricular points Yuánzhōng ( AT 2, 3, 4i), and Shénmén ( TF 4) were selected; and in group B, Sìshéncōng ( EX-HN 1), Shénmén ( π HT 7), and Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6) were selected. Acupuncture was given on these points once daily for 15 days. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used for scoring and curative effect was evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsThe total effective rate was 89.0% (89/100) in group A and 65.0% (65/100) in group B with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the difference of PSQI scores before and after treatment was (–9.15±5.68) in group A and (–5.64±5.73) in group B, with a very significant difference before and after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01).ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei qi and strengthening brain on insomnia is superior to that of normal needling method.