RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find the best method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on refractory insomnia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninty-one cases of refractory insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 48) and a routine acupuncture group (n = 43). The observation group were treated by acupuncture at acupoints Daling (PC 7) and "Shimian", and the routine acupuncture group by routine acupoints. After treatment of 4 courses, their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate was 81.25% in the observation group and 34.88% in the routine acupuncture group, the observation group being significantly better than the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.01). And the cured rate of one course in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Daling (PC 7) and "Shimian" is significantly better than that of acupuncture at routinely selected acupoints.</p>