ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of abdomen-relaxation-vibration therapy in treating refractory insomnia. Method Eighty patients with refractory insomnia were randomized into a treatment group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The treatment group was intervened by abdomen-relaxation-vibration therapy, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of Diazepam prior to sleep. The clinical efficacy and change of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in the two groups were observed. Result The scores of PSQI dropped significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01), and the scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01,P<0.05); the markedly effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 62.5% and 87.5% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 27.5% and 62.5% in the control group, and there was a significant difference in the therapeutic efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Abdomen-relaxation-vibration therapy is effective in treating refractory insomnia, and it's easy-to-operate and safe.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the difference in the clinical efficacy on refractory insomnia between the balance needling therapy and the conventional acupuncture and verify the effectiveness and practicality of the balance needling therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomized into a balance needling therapy group, a conventional acupuncture group and a placebo group, 20 cases in each one. In the balance needling therapy group, Shi-mian (point for insomnia) was selected with quick needling manipulation. After the arrival of qi, the technique of lifting and thrusting was applied till the radiating numbness presented in the middle or index finnger, thus the needle was removed. In the conventional acupuncture group, Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured with the conventional technique. The treatment was given once every day, 7 treatments made one session, 2 sessions were required totally. In the placebo group, starch capsules were prescribed for oral administration before sleep every night, continuously for 14 days. The efficacy and scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) beforea and after treatment were observed in three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PSQI scores were reduced after treatment in every group (both P < 0.01), the scores in the balance needling therapy group and conventional acupuncture group were reduced apparently as compared with those in the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The total effective rate were 90.0% (18/20), 85.0% (17/20) and 15.0% (3/20) in the balance needling therapy group, conventional acupuncture group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the balance needling therapy group and the conventional acupuncture group was higher obviously than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01), and the balance needling therapy group had the same efficacy as conventional acupuncture group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The balance needling therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of refractory insomnia and achieves the same efficacy as the conventional acupuncture, which has more simple operation and less pain for the patients and much more considerable practicality in clinic.</p>