Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular needle-embedding therapy for treating primary insomnia. Methods:A total of 63 patients were randomly divided into a conventional acupuncture group and an auricular needle-embedding group.The conventional acupuncture group received acupuncture at meridian points,while the auricular needle-embedding group received acupuncture at auricular points.Treatments were given once a day for 6 consecutive days,followed by a 1-day break,as a course of treatment.Both groups were treated for 2 courses.Before treatment,and after 1 course and 2 courses of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score was assessed,and the efficacy was evaluated. Results:The cured and markedly effective rate and total effective rate of the auricular needle-embedding group were higher than those of the conventional acupuncture group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).After 1 course of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality,sleep latency,sleep duration,habitual sleep efficiency,and daytime dysfunction of both groups decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01);there was no statistical significance in comparing the PSQI global score and individual component scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency of the auricular needle-embedding group decreased compared with those after 1 course of treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while only the score of sleep latency of the conventional acupuncture group decreased compared with that after 1 course of treatment(P<0.05);the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep latency of the auricular needle-embedding group were lower than those of the conventional acupuncture group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Both therapies can improve insomnia.Compared to conventional acupuncture,auricular needle-embedding therapy demonstrates a therapeutic advantage in improving sleep latency and sleep quality,making it worthy of clinical promotion.