Insomnia Study Overview
A 2017 insomnia study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture as an alternative therapy for treating depression-related insomnia. Investigators searched seven databases and found 18 randomized-controlled trials of adult subjects who had depression-related insomnia and had received acupuncture.
The insomnia study concluded that acupuncture significantly improved PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) scores compared with Western medicine. Furthermore, acupuncture combined with Western medicine improved sleep quality better than Western medicine alone. Therefore, this systematic review concluded that acupuncture should be an alternative therapy to medication for treating depression-related insomnia.
Insomnia and Depression
Depression is one of China’s most common mental disorders and is the second-highest financial burden of all diseases. Two recent surveys indicated that the lifetime prevalence of depression was 16%. Depression often results in low motivation and sleep problems. Chinese medicine defines insomnia as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
Insomnia and depression are closely linked, with 70% of patients with depression having insomnia. First-line antidepressant medications like SSRIs have several undesirable side effects, including weight gain, dry mouth, nausea, blurred vision, constipation, and racing heart. However, acupuncture has excellent benefits for treating insomnia and depression with no adverse side effects.
Acupuncture’s Positive Sleep Benefits
A systematic review showed that acupuncture combined with antidepressants was better than the single use of antidepressants. In addition, acupuncture was superior for improving sleep quality, decreasing sleep latency, and prolonging total sleep time compared with the control group. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as a monotherapy and as an alternative therapy in treating depression-related insomnia.
Background to Insomnia Study
Many studies have reported acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating insomnia. However, an insufficient number of high-quality, well-designed randomized controlled trials limit made it difficult to confirm this benefit. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis sought additional evidence to prove acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating depression-related insomnia.
Evaluation Results
Due to the different control groups included in the 18 studies, this insomnia study meta-analysis had three parts:
Acupuncture with Western medicine
Acupuncture with sham or placebo acupuncture
A combination of acupuncture and medication with medication
Investigators measured primary outcomes with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and secondary outcomes with the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD). HAMD is the most widely used scale for the clinical assessment of depression. Seven studies showed acupuncture was more effective than medication. In addition, the PSQI score in the acupuncture groups was lower than in the medication groups, indicating that acupuncture was more effective in treating insomnia and depression than medication.
Acupuncture versus Western Medicine
Six studies utilized the HAMD score. Four concluded that acupuncture was more effective than Western medicine, one showed no significant difference between the two groups, and one showed the control group was more effective than the acupuncture group. Three additional studies showed that acupuncture combined with medication was more effective in improving depression and sleep than mediation alone.
Eight studies compared acupuncture to Western medication regarding depression and insomnia. Four studies concluded that acupuncture was more effective than medications, while the other four reported no significant difference between the two groups.
Insomnia Acupuncture Research Result
This insomnia study assessed acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating depression-related insomnia. PSQI scores after treatment revealed that acupuncture or acupuncture combined with medication was more effective than alone. In addition, the score in the acupuncture groups was higher than in the placebo acupuncture groups.
Insomnia Study Discussion
This insomnia study meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating depression-related insomnia. The investigators concluded that, compared with medication, acupuncture was more effective in improving insomnia and depression.
Research evidence supports the use of acupuncture as an effective treatment to improve symptoms of depression-related insomnia. Compared with conventional Western medicine, acupuncture may be more effective in decreasing PSQI scores. In addition, acupuncture combined with medicine significantly reduced PSQI and HAMD scores compared to medication alone.
No Adverse Side Effects
Regarding adverse side effects, investigators found acupuncture to be safe. The only infrequent negative impact was slight bruising or temporary soreness at the site of the needle. Based on the positive findings and superior safety, investigators concluded that providers should use acupuncture as an alternative treatment for depression-related insomnia.
Raleigh Acupuncture Experience Treating Insomnia
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have effectively treated insomnia for almost 20 years. All types of insomnia respond favorably, whether coupled with depression, anxiety, stress, or grief. Sleep troubles reflect an imbalance at the organ level. Restore balance, and sleep improves naturally, without the need for medications.
Next Steps
Try acupuncture if you are struggling with sleep issues. Treatments are safe and natural, with no adverse effects.
BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.
Additional Resources
Insomnia Acupuncture Research Study #1
Insomnia Acupuncture Case Study #1
Watch Video About Our Insomnia Treatment.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Reference
Dong, B., Chen, Z., Yin, X., Li, D., Ma, J., Yin, P., Cao, Y., Lao, L., & Xu, S. (2017). The Efficacy of Acupuncture for Treating Depression-Related Insomnia Compared with a Control Group: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BioMed research international, 2017, 9614810. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9614810
Focus Keyphrase: Insomnia Study
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-sleeping-man-3771069/
What our Clients are Saying
Turning to acupuncture was my last resort to battling insomnia. I had been prescribed two heavy sleep aids with no success. After the third appointment, I went from averaging less than 2.5 hours of sleep to over seven, without any sleep aids. I still go and pretty sure I wouldn’t be here today without success from Raleigh Acupuncture.
Raleigh Acupuncture was recommended by a friend after I mentioned my insomnia and dependency on a sleeping pill. My apprehension was short lived because of the results of my visits to Dr. Mark. With acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs I was able to begin sleeping well and continue to do so. Dr. Mark is a good listener and encourages his patients in all health issues as well as the original purpose for treatment. Consequently, my knees are stronger and I’m walking better and with more confidence. I haven’t had the need for a cortisone shot in a year and a half. Occasionally, I would use a cane and it’s now somewhere gathering dust. Also, I had a persistent headache that my primary physician had no solution for, and after two acupuncture treatments it’s a thing of the past. Hot flashes were another issue that was treated successfully. I am so grateful to have found a knowledgeable and caring person to treat my ailments, many of which I thought would only grow worse as I aged. Generally, I feel healthier.
I would like to thank Raleigh Acupuncture for the wonderful and very helpful treatments. I had been seeing them for my insomnia, which was making excellent progress at the time and has since been cured. On a previous Monday I was involved in a minor traffic accident. Due to the stress of the accident on Tuesday I awoke in a severe flare-up of my fibromyalgia. The pain was so bad I took pain killers and stayed in bed for the day. The following day I had an appointment with Dr. Mark which I wanted to cancel. My husband suggested I keep the appointment and tell Dr. Mark about the pain. After our discussion, he modified the treatment he had planned for me and treated the pain. I came home, took another pain pill and went back to bed. The following morning I woke pain free and have been since, which is about 2 to 3 months. Thanks again Raleigh Acupuncture!
I became a patient of Raleigh Acupuncture in 2007. I did a lot of research prior to selecting them and I never regretted it. Over the years, I have been treated for various conditions – insomnia, an auto-immune disease, a herniated disk, etc. I have recommended Raleigh Acupuncture to various friends and family members.
I highly recommend the practitioners of Raleigh Acupuncture. I’ve seen them for several years and have always recommended them highly and without hesitation to many of my friends, all of whom have been equally thrilled with the care provided. They are genuinely interested in your health and general well-being, with a focus on getting you healed quickly and gently. My hot flashes are GONE! and the Chinese herbs for sleeplessness are awesome too!
I haven’t slept well for 20 years. That all changed when I was treated at Raleigh Acupuncture for my insomnia. They said it would take 12 treatments, so I took a leap of faith and tried it. I saw changes start to happen after just a few treatments. Over the course of three months I was able to sleep better and better. I weaned myself off of Ambien, and am now sleeping like a baby again. I never thought I’d see the day! It really worked. And guess what? I’ve got more energy now. Imagine that – a good night sleep gives you more energy! Rocket science! Thanks guys!