Efficacy of acupuncture for primary insomnia: a randomized controlled clinical trial

In a double-dummy, single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 180 patients with primary insomnia were randomly assigned to acupuncture plus placebo; estazolam (a sleep drug) plus sham acupuncture; or sham acupuncture plus placebo. The outcome was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The three treatment groups showed significant improvement compared with the pretreatment baseline. Compared with the other two groups, the acupuncture group reported improved sleep quality (SQ) and vitality (VT), decreased daytime dysfunction (DD) and sleepiness (ESS score). The differences were kept from the treatment period to the end of the trial. Acupuncture appeared to be more effective in increasing sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture and estazolam.

Guo J, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for primary insomnia: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013;2013:163850