Clinical research on insomnia treated by acupuncture at back-shu points

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical therapeutic effect on insomnia treated with acupuncture at back-shu points.MethodsSixty-four cases of insomnia were selected and divided randomly into a back-shu points group (group A) and a conventional acupoints group (group B) by a computer generated allocation list, 32 cases in each one. In the trial group, acupuncture was applied at Xīnshū ( BL 15), Gānshū ( BL 18), Píshū ( BL 20) and Géshū ( BL 17). In the control group, acupuncture was applied conventionally to Nèiguān ( PC 6), Shénmén ( HT 7), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6), Băihuì ( GV 20) and Sìshéncōng ( EX-HN 1). Ten treatments made a session. The efficacy was analyzed statistically after 3 sessions of treatment.ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the relief of sleep disorders after the treatment (P<0.01). The improvement in sleep efficiency was different significantly (P<0.05), The difference in sleep difficulty was significant in Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score (P<0.05).ConclusionThe clinical efficacy is achieved by either acupuncture at back-shu points or by acupuncture at conventional acupoints. The improvements of sleep efficiency and sleep disorder scores in PSQI, and sleep difficulty in TCM as well as the long-term efficacy are superior in group A as compared with those in group B.