A randomized, placebo-controlled study published in Sleep (2009;32[8]:1039–1044) examined the effects of acupuncture on chronic insomnia. The study included 60 adults with insomnia lasting at least three months, with sleep disturbances occurring three or more nights per week.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture as a placebo. Outcomes were assessed using sleep diaries, standardized questionnaires, and the Insomnia Severity Index.
Compared with the placebo group, subjects receiving acupuncture showed greater overall improvement in sleep quality. A significantly higher percentage of the acupuncture group spent less than 30 minutes awake after sleep onset and achieved sleep efficiency of 85% or greater, a commonly used benchmark for restorative sleep.
Takeaway
Acupuncture was more effective than sham treatment in improving key measures of sleep quality in patients with chronic insomnia. Learn more about acupuncture.
