Insomnia Awareness Day is Monday, March 11th. This is an appropriate designation for the day after Daylight Saving Time begins for the year. In recognition of this day, today’s post will examine the use of acupuncture for primary insomnia.

Insomnia is a common disorder among adults. It is estimated that about 30% of adults have brief periods of insomnia, and upwards of 10% of adults have chronic insomnia, lasting more than three months. It has also been estimated that greater than $60 billion is lost yearly in work production due to insomnia. Insomnia is felt to be a factor in worsening mental health disorders, as well in medical disorders such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II.

A recently published study looked at using a short course of acupuncture as an intervention for primary insomnia. 72 subjects with primary insomnia were randomized into either a acupuncture treatment group or a sham (fake) acupuncture group. For the acupuncture treatment group, points were used on the scalp, wrist and lower leg. For the sham acupuncture group the same points were used, but the needle tube was only tapped to give the sensation of a needle being placed. The participants wore eye masks so they could not see whether or not needles were in place.

Participants were treated three times each week, for four weeks. Each treatment session lasted thirty minutes. Questionnaires were filled out every two weeks for a total of eight weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The ISI is a validated assessment tool, consisting of 7 questions, and scored on a scale of 0 (no significant insomnia) to 28 (severe insomnia). The subjects also completed self-rating anxiety and depression scales, to assess their mental health.

Results of the study showed that the Insomnia Severity Index was significantly improved after receiving acupuncture treatment. Sleep efficiency was improved in the acupuncture group beginning at two-weeks post-treatment. Also, sleep awakenings were significantly lower in the acupuncture group, beginning at four weeks post-treatment.

It also appears that acupuncture can improve mental health, as participants in both groups had lower scores on the self-rating scales for both anxiety and depression, compared to baseline scores. It is also important to note that no one withdrew from the study due to some possible adverse side effect from acupuncture.

The study authors did a good job in setting up the sham or placebo acupuncture in a way to keep it blinded to patients. It would be helpful to know how long these beneficial effects of acupuncture on insomnia last, and if there is a certain frequency or schedule that would be optimal. These may be topics of future research.

We have a seemingly low risk treatment for insomnia, that is worthy of consideration. Perhaps consider acupuncture rather than medication for insomnia next time around.

“The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.”–  W.C. Fields

(Source- Sleep Medicine 37 (2017), pp. 193-200)

This blog is a review of published medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.