Clinical Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Ear Acupoint Thumbtack Needle Embedding on Senile Primary Insomnia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of ear acupoint thumbtack needle embedding in treating senile primary insomnia.Method Seventy patients were allocated, using a random number table, to observation and control groups, 35 cases each. The observation group received ear acupoint thumbtack needle embedding with alternate selections of left and right ear acupoints and the control group took estazolam tablets, 1 mg once before bedtime. Both groups were treated once every other day, for 30 days. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score were recorded before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.Result The total efficacy rate was 91.4% in the observation group and 82.9% in the control group. It was higher in the observation group than in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). In the observation group, the sleep quality, sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction scores and the total score were lower after treatment than before (P<0.05). In the control group, the sleep duration and sleep efficiency scores and the total score were lower after treatment than before (P<0.05). After treatment, the sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction scores and the total score were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05) and the sleep duration score was lower in the control group than in the observation group (P<0.05). In both groups, the ISI score was lower after treatment than before (P<0.05). It decreased more significantly in the observation group than in the control group; therewas a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).Conclusion Ear acupoint thumbtack needle embedding has a definite therapeutic effect on senile primary insomnia. It can reduce sleep disturbances, improve daytime function and decrease insomnia severity in the patients.