OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on post-stroke insomnia between the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints and the conventional western medication.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a low-frequency electric stimulation group, a medication group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. In the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the low-frequency electric-pulsing apparatus was used at Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenshu (BL 23), once a day; the treatment of 15 days made one session and 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, estazolam was taken orally, 1 mg each time. In the placebo group, starch capsules were taken orally, 1 capsule each time. All the drugs were taken before sleep every night, continuously for 15 days as one session, and 2 sessions were required. PSQI changes and clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in each group.

RESULTSPitlsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score was reduced in every group after treatment (all P < 0.01). In the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group, the score was reduced much more significantly as compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). In the placebo group, 1 case was rejected. The total effective rates were 95.0% (38/40), 92.5% (37/40) and 17.9% (7/39) in the low-frequency electric stimulation group, medication group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group was better apparently than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints effectively and safely treats post-stroke insomnia and the efficacy of it is similar to that of estazolam.