Clinical Efficacy Evaluation of Tiao Ren Tong Du Needling for Perimenopausal Insomnia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the intervention efficacy of Tiao Ren Tong Du (regulating the Conception Vessel and unblocking the Governor Vessel) needling in treating perimenopausal insomnia and its effect in improving the symptoms, for providing theoretical evidence for the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia. Method A total of 72 female perimenopausal insomnia patients were randomized into a treatment group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases). The treatment group was intervened by Tiao Ren Tong Du needling at Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36) after standard sterilization, with lifting and thrusting manipulations until needling sensation was obtained. The treatment was given three times a week, successively for 4 weeks. The control group was intervened by conventional public education, without treatment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Kupperman Menopausal Index (MI) were scored before and after the treatment to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Result Thirty-three cases in the treatment group finished the treatment and 3 dropped out; while 32 cases in the control group finished the treatment and 4 cases dropped out, and the drop-out rate was 9.7%. The total effective rate was 87.9% in the treatment group versus 40.6% in the control group, and there was a significant difference in comparing the clinical efficacy between the two groups (P0.05). There were significant differences in PSQI and MI scores between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion Tiao Ren Tong Du needling is effective in treating perimenopausal insomnia, and it can improve perimenopausal syndrome and significantly enhance the patients' quality of life.