Clinical Observation on 150 Cases of Insomnia Treated by Combined Body and Auricular Acupuncture

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect in the treatment of insomnia with combined body and auricular acupuncture.

Methods: (1) Main points include Baihui (DU 20), and Sishencong (Ex-HN 1). Secondary points are Xinshu (BL 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for heart and Yanglingquan(GB 34) for heart and gallbladder deficiency; Xinshu (BL 15), and Taixi (KI 3) for disharmony of the heart and kidney; Gashu (BL 18) and Taichong (LR 3) for liver-qi stagnation. Let the patient take a supine posture, clean the points according to routine sterilization, use a No. 32 filiform needle to puncture Baihui (DU 20) about 1 cun horizontally forming a 15 angle from scalp to cranial periosteum quickly. Puncture Sishencong (EX-HN 1) in a same way. Manipulate the needle by twirling and rotating once every 10 min. and retain longer time, but within two hours. Treatment is given once every other day, 10 sessions constitute one treatment course. Between courses, there is a 3-5 day’s interval. Then evaluate the therapeutic effect after 3 courses of treatment.

(2) Main auricular points are at the heart district, Shenmen, occiput, forehead, brain, subcortex; secondary points are at the districts of kidney, liver, and stomach. Place Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) on the above mentioned points. Ask the patient to press the points 4-6 times daily for 5 min. each tome. Before sleeping, press the points once more. The treatment of auricular acupuncture is given once every 5-6 days. Place seeds on the two ears alternately. 5-7 sessions constitute one treatment course.

Results: Of 150 cases, 125 cases were cured, (symptoms disappeared, sleep rate reached 75%, intake of soporific stopped) accounting for 84%. 20 cases were effective, (symptoms disappeared, sleep rate reached 65%, intake of soporific fundamentally stopped or reduced) according for 13.3%; 4 cases failed (symptoms remained the same, sleep rate was below 40%, depending on soporific) according for 2.7%. The total effective rate was 97.3%. This treatment group was compared with a control group of 150 cases treated with western drugs. The result showed that of the 150 cases, 15 cases were cured (10%), 30 cases were effectively (20%), 105 cases failed (70%). The total effective rate was 30%. According to statistic analysis, there was significant difference between the two groups (p<0.01).

(By Li Zonglian, from Clinic of TCM, Jinnan District, Tianjin City, 300350, China)