ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).@*METHODS@#A total of 84 patients with DSWPD were randomized into an observation group (42 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (42 cases, 3 cases dropped off). On the basis of sleep hygiene education, acupuncture was applied at Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the observation group, while placebo acupuncture was applied at the same acupoints in the control group. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks, once every other day, 3 times a week in the 1st to 4th weeks; once every 3 days, 2 times a week in the 5th to 8th weeks. Before and after treatment, the actigraphy (ACT) indexes of objective sleep (total time of stay in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, the number of awakenings and the wake time after falling asleep) and plasma cortisol (CORT) level were observed; before and after treatment and in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment, the scores of morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), insomnia severity index (ISI), fatigue severity scale (FSS) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the total sleep time was prolonged, the sleep efficiency was improved, the number of awakenings was reduced, and the wake time after falling asleep was shortened after treatment in the observation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those in the observation group after treatment were superior to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MEQ scores after treatment in both groups and in the follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were increased (P<0.01), and the MEQ score of each time point after treatment in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01). The scores of ISI, FSS and ESS after treatment, and the scores of ISI、ESS in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and in the observation group, the scores of ISI, FSS and ESS of each time point after treatment were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, the plasma CORT level in the observation group was decreased compared with that before treatment and that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture can improve the sleep and wake phase of patients with DSWPD, improve sleep quality and daytime function, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of plasma CORT level.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Sleep , Acupuncture Points , Down-Regulation , Sleep DurationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen saturation in the patient of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in sleeping and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty cases with OSAHS were treated with acupuncture at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV 16), Yamen (GV 15), Fengchi (GB 20), etc. 3-5 sessions each week. After treatment of 30 sessions, apneahypopnea index (AHI), mean blood oxygen saturation (MSaO2), the lowest blood oxygen saturation (LSaO2), oxygen desaturation > or = 4% index (ODI4), the mean blood oxygen saturation of oxygen desaturation when SaO2 < 90%, the longest time of oxygen saturation > or = 4% were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate of acupuncture was 23.3% for OSAHS. After acupuncture, AHI and ODI4 significantly reduced (P < 0.01); LSaO2 significantly increased (P < 0.01); MSaO2 and the mean blood oxygen saturation of oxygen desaturation when SaO2 < 90% significantly enhanced (P < 0.05); the longest time of oxygen saturation > or = 4% did not significantly change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupuncture treatment has intervenient effect on OSAHS and alleviates anoxia, so acupuncture is one of therapies improving anoxia in patients of OSAHS.</p>