Sleep is a highly conserved phenomenon in endotherms, and has a universal physiological function across all species. In mammals, sleep can be divided into two stages: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep, which alternate in a cyclic manner. Humans spend about one-third of their lives asleep. Sufficient sleep is necessary for humans to sustain everyday functioning. Sleep plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism, immune defense, endocrine function, and the consolidation of memory process. With the development of social economy and the change of life style, sleep duration of the residents has gradually decreased and the incidence of sleep disturbances has increased. Sleep disturbances can lead to severe mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, dementia, and other mental diseases, and may increase the risk of physical diseases, such as chronic inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and others. Maintaining good sleep is of great significance for developing social productive forces, promoting sustainable development of economic society, and is a necessary condition for carrying out the "Healthy China Strategy". The sleep research in China started in 1950s. After decades of development, researchers have made great progress in the molecular mechanisms of sleep and wakefulness, the pathogenesis of sleep disorders and the development of new therapies. With the advancement of science and technology and the public's attention to sleep, the level of clinical diagnosis and therapy of sleep disorders in China is gradually brought in line with international standards. The publication of diagnosis and treatment guidelines in the field of sleep medicine will promote the standardization of the construction. In the future, it is still necessary to promote the development of sleep medicine in the following aspects: Strengthening the professional training and discipline construction, improving the cooperation of sleep research, promoting the intelligent diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, and developing the new intervention strategies. Therefore, this review will comprehensively summarize the origin, current situation, and future expectations of sleep medicine in China, including discipline construction of sleep medicine, the number of sleep project grants, research findings, the status and progress of diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, and the development direction of sleep medicine.
Animals ; Humans ; Sleep ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy* ; Atherosclerosis ; China/epidemiology* ; Health Status ; Mammals

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tiaoshen Qianyang acupuncture on morning blood pressure, sleep quality and post-stroke nerve function recovery in patients with stroke-related sleep disorders (SSD) complicated with hypertension. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were randomized into an observation group (60 cases) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case dropped off). Both groups were treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture (Neiguan [PC 6], Shuigou [GV 26], Sanyinjiao [SP 6], Jiquan [HT 1], Chize [LU 5] and Weizhong [BL 40]). In addition, Tiaoshen Qianyang acupuncture was applied in the observation group, deep needling at Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for 5 h. Once a day, 5 times a week, 30 times in total. The morning blood pressure was measured during treatment in the two groups, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores before and after treatment were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the morning systolic blood pressure (SBP) after treatment were decreased in the two groups (P<0.05), and the morning diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after treatment was decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). The levels of SBP and DBP after treatment in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the total score of PSQI and NIHSS score after treatment in the observation group were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), which were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), the decreasing rate of NIHSS score in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture, Tiaoshen Qianyang acupuncture could improve morning blood pressure and sleep quality for patients with SSD complicated with hypertension, promote the recovery of nerve function.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension/therapy* ; Sleep Quality ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the difference in rates and reasons for disclosure of either conventional or complementary medicine (CM) to healthcare practitioners between people living with sleep disorders (SDs) and those without SDs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey (N = 2019 adults) that measured sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health service utilisation, health literacy and health communication (medicine disclosure) of a representative sample of Australians was conducted. Data from participants reporting an SD (n = 265) were compared to those not reporting an SD to assess measures of health communication and disclosure about medicine use. RESULTS: Overall, rates of medicine disclosure to both conventional and CM practitioners were high, in respondents with (70%) and without an SD (57%). Those reporting an SD had higher expectations of their conventional health practitioner's knowledge of CM, associated clinical decision-making skills, and approval of CM use, and held a higher degree of concern about drug interactions (P < 0.05). The main reasons cited for disclosing CM use to conventional health practitioners and conventional medicine use to CM practitioners were "I want them to fully understand my health status" and "I was concerned about drug interactions with the CMs used." CONCLUSION The high rate of medicine use disclosure by people with SDs is driven by an intention to inform their healthcare practitioner about their health status and concerns about potential medicine interactions. Therefore, research about the expectations that people with an SD have of their conventional healthcare practitioners' knowledge of CM and CM-drug interactions requires further examination. Likewise, further examination of CM practitioner's conventional medicine knowledge is encouraged.
Adult ; Australia ; Complementary Therapies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disclosure ; Humans ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy*

Humans ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Phototherapy ; Sleep Wake Disorders

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are common in older adults and have a negative influence on their physical and mental health. General aerobic exercises (GAEs) have long been used in the treatment of sleep disorders as a non-pharmacological measure. However, there is no consensus on the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) for treating sleep disorders in older adults and the difference between TCEs and GAEs. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of TCEs and GAEs on the sleep quality of older adults and the differences between these two interventions. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Journal Database and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to August 2020. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of TCEs and GAEs on older adults with sleep disorders were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by two researchers working independently. The risk bias of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0 and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to estimate sleep quality. Meta-analyses were performed to assess the total PSQI score of the exercise intervention as the primary outcome, and the scores of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication and daytime dysfunction were assessed as secondary outcomes. Subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of covariables to heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 22 RCTs (including 1747 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that TCEs (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-2.82, -1.46], P < 0.001; heterogeneity: P < 0.001, I CONCLUSION Current evidence shows that both TCEs and GAEs, as complementary and non-pharmacological approaches, help to improve the sleep quality in older adults with potentially clinical implications; however, there was not enough evidence to conclude the difference between them. More rigorous and high-quality RCTs are needed to arrive at reliable conclusions.
Aged ; China ; Exercise ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy* ; Tai Ji

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease, is clinically characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms. Although overall great achievements have been made in elucidating the etiology and pathogenesis of PD, the exact mechanisms of this complicated systemic disease are still far from being clearly understood. Consequently, most of the currently-used diagnostic tools and therapeutic options for PD are symptomatic. In this perspective review, we highlight the hot topics in recent PD research for both clinicians and researchers. Some of these hot topics, such as sleep disorders and gut symptoms, have been neglected but are currently emphasized due to their close association with PD. Following these research directions in future PD research may help understand the nature of the disease and facilitate the discovery of new strategies for the diagnosis and therapy of PD.
Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating the spirit) on restless leg syndrome and its concomitance symptoms of sleep disorder and anxiety, and to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Conventional acupuncture at lower limbs' acupoints such as Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) was applied in the control group. On the basis of the control group, acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and Benshen (GB 13) was added in the observation group. In both groups, the treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week, one week as a course and totally 3 courses were required. Scores of international restless leg syndrome rating scale (IRLS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, scores of IRLS, PSQI and HAMA after treatment were decreased in both groups (<0.05), and the improvement in the observation group was superior to the control group (<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of conventional acupuncture, acupuncture can effectively relieve the discomforts of the lower limbs in patients with restless leg syndrome, improve the sleep disorder and anxiety, which is better than conventional acupuncture.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Anxiety ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Restless Legs Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

The efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in the treatment of kidney-deficiency and bloodstasis perimenopausal sleep disorders were evaluated. A total of 67 subjects who completed the study were randomly divided into two groups. The traditional Chinese medicine group was orally given Bushen Huoxue Anshen Fang,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture treatment. Both groups were treated for three consecutive courses of treatment,with a course of treatment of 30 days. The changes of PSQI score,improved Kupperman score,TCM syndromes,serum sex hormone,coagulation,routine blood and urine,liver and kidney function and electrocardiogram were observed before and after treatment. After treatment,the total effective rates of Chinese medicine group and acupuncture group were similar or respectively 91. 43% and 87. 50%. The scores of PSQI,improved Kupperman and TCM syndromes in both groups decreased significantly( P<0. 05). The effect of improving Kupperman score in TCM group was better than that in acupuncture group( P< 0. 01). The effect of improving PSQI and TCM syndromes was similar to that in acupuncture group. The levels of serum FSH and LH were decreased in both groups( P<0. 05),but with no significant difference between the two groups; the level of serum E2 was increased in both groups,but with no significant difference. Compared with before treatment,PT was increased in traditional Chinese medicine group( P<0. 05),but with no significant difference in APTT,TT and FIB before and after treatment; PT and TT were prolonged in acupuncture group( P<0. 05),but with no significant difference in APTT and FIB before and after treatment. The effect of improving PT and TT in the acupuncture group was better than that in the traditional Chinese medicine group( P<0. 05). The results showed that TCM and acupuncture had similar therapeutic effects on perimenopausal sleep disorder of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type,and were safe and reliable. The mechanism was related to the improvement of serum FSH and E2 levels.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Perimenopause ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders. Recent studies suggest that cognitive and physical arousal play an important role in the generation of primary insomnia. Studies have also shown that information processing disorders due to cortical hyperactivity might interfere with normal sleep onset and sleep continuity. Therefore, focusing on central nervous system arousal and normalizing the information process have become current topics of interest. It has been well known that neurofeedback can reduce the brain hyperarousal by modulating patients' brain waves during a sequence of behavior therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics in patients with primary insomnia. METHODS: Thirteen subjects who met the criteria for an insomnia diagnosis and 14 control subjects who were matched on sex and age were included. Neurofeedback and sham treatments were performed in a random order for 30 minutes, respectively. EEG spectral power analyses were performed to quantify effects of the neurofeedback therapy on brain wave forms. RESULTS: In patients with primary insomnia, relative spectral theta and sigma power during a therapeutic neurofeedback session were significantly lower than during a sham session (13.9 ± 2.6 vs. 12.2 ± 3.8 and 3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.2 ± 1.0 in %, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in other EEG spectral bands. CONCLUSION: For the first time in Korea, EEG spectral power in the theta band was found to increase when a neurofeedback session was applied to patients with insomnia. This outcome might provide some insight into new interventions for improving sleep onset. However, the treatment response of insomniacs was not precisely evaluated due to limitations of the current pilot study, which requires follow-up studies with larger samples in the future.
Arousal ; Automatic Data Processing ; Behavior Therapy ; Brain ; Brain Waves ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Electroencephalography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Neurofeedback ; Pilot Projects ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Sleep Wake Disorders

Disorders of Excessive Somnolence ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease ; complications ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder ; therapy ; Restless Legs Syndrome ; therapy ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; therapy