ObjectiveTo explore the value of acupuncture in treating insomnia due to stagnated liverqi transforming into fire and its theoretical foundation, by observing the treatment effect of acupuncture in treating insomnia due to stagnated liverqi transforming into fire and its influence on 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) content.MethodTotally 187patients with insomnia due to stagnated liver qi transforming into fire were selected and randomized into two groups. The 93 cases in the control group were intervened by orally taking Trazodone, 100 mg for each dose, twice a day, 10 d as a course, totallyfor 2 courses; the 94 cases in the observation group were intervened by acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7), Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), Hegu (LI 4), and Taichong (LR 3), once a day, 10 d as a treatment course, totally for 2 courses. Peripheral blood was collected from the two groups before and after intervention to detect the change of 5-HT content. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD, 24-item version), Asberg Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS), and clinicalefficacies were assessed.ResultThe difference in 5-HT content between the two groups was statistically insignificant before intervention (P>0.05); 5-HT contents were significantly increased in both groups after intervention (P<0.05), while the content in the observation group was markedly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); after treatment, the PSQI and HAMD scores were decreasedin both groups (P<0.05), while the PSQI, HAMD, and SERS scores in the observation group were markedly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05);the total effective rate was 92.6% in the observation group, significantly higher than 81,7% in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture can significantly down-regulate 5-HT content in insomnia patients, and its total effective rate is higher than that of medication.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy between acupuncture and oral administration of trazodone and the expressions of neurotransmitters in patients of insomnia differentiated as liver stagnation transforming into fire.

METHODSSeventy patients of insomnia differentiated as liver stagnation transforming into fire were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture therapy was adopted at Shenmen (HT 7), Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), etc. The needles were retained for 20 min each time. The treatment was given once a day, the treatment of 2 weeks made one session. In the control group, trazodone, 100 mg, oral administration, once a day, the treatment of 2 weeks made one session. Two sessions were required in the two groups. The scores in Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Asberg rating scale for side effects (SERS), the levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and the expressions of protein kinase C (PKC) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in peripheral blood were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSPSQI score and SERS score after treatment were all decreased compared with those in both groups before treatment (both P<0. 05). After treatment, PSQI score and SERS score in the observation group were lower apparently than those in the control group (both P<0. 05). After treatment NE content and PKC level were decreased; 5-HT content and BDNF mRNA were increased compared with those in both groups before treatment (all P<0. 05). NE content and PKC level in the observation group were lower apparently than those in the control group (both P<0. 05). The serum 5-HT content and BDNF mRNA expression in the observation group were higher than those in the control group separately (both P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture therapy improves the sleeping quality of patients of insomnia differentiated as liver stagnation transforming into fire, and reduces serum NE level and increases 5-HT content and BDNF expression, which achieves the better efficacy as compared with the oral administration of trazodone. It is one of the effective approaches to the treatment of insomnia differentiated as liver stagnation transforming into fire.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; genetics ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on social function and life quality of schizophrenia in long-term hospitalization.Methods Sixty patients met with ICD-10 for schizophrenia in long-term hospitalization were enrolled in this study.The group was divided randomly into research (n =40) and control (n =40) groups.They were given rTMS or sham stimulation,respectively.The treatment was given 20 times,and the course of treatment was 4 weeks.The research and control groups were assessed with measured the scale of social function in psychosis inpatients and personal and social function scale and schizophrenia quality of life scale before and'after 4 weeks treatment.Each test result of all groups before and after treatment was compared with each other,respectively.Results Compared to rTMS before treatment,the study group scale of social function in psychosis inpatients (SSPI) total score,factor Ⅰ,Ⅱ and personal and social function scale (PSP) scores were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),no change of SSPI factor (P ＞ 0.05);the study group Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) total score,psychological and social power,the energy scale scores were significantly reduced (P ＜ 0.05),SQLS symptoms and side effects scale showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).No significant change was found in the scores of project SSPI,PSP and SQLS in control group before and after treatment (P ＞ 0.05);the difference of each parameter between two groups after treatment were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation could improve on social function and life quality of schizophrenia in long-term hospitalization,rTMS could provide a new way for the individual rehabilitation of schizophrenia in long-term hospitalization.