OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chuzhen therapy on insomnia through clinical randomized controlled trials.

METHODSSixty cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a Chuzhen group (n=30) and an acupuncture group (n=30). Acupoints of Bazhen (Baihui Bazhen, Fengfu Bazhen, Shendao Bazhen) and Hechelu [from Dazhui (GV 14) to Mingmen (GV 4)] in the Chuzhen group, and Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. in the acupuncture group were selected, respectively. Four weeks treatments were carried out in the two groups, once daily for 5 times on week days. Three months after treatment, they were followed up and the therapeutic effects were assessed by the effective rate of sleep improvement and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

RESULTSAfter treatment, the sleep quality in the two groups was improved, but there were no differences in the effective rate of sleep improvement and PSQI between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Three months after treatment, the total effective rate of 85.2% in the Chuzhen group was better than 78.6% in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The total cumulative score of PSQI, sleep effectiveness and the factors of sleep obstacle in the Chuzhen group were significantly different from those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChuzhen therapy can increase long-term sleep quality and living quality through improving the effective rate of sleep and reducing the score of PSQI in the patients of insomnia.