[Effect of scalp point penetration needling on sleep quality and sleep structure of insomnia patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the improving effect of scalp point penetration needling on sleep quality and sleep structure for insomnia patients. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a scalp point penetration needling group (observation group, 32 cases) and a routine acupuncture group (control group, 34 cases). The observation group was treated with Houshencong (EX-HN 1) penetrating to Qianshencong (EX-HN 1) and Xinhui (GV 22) penetrating to Shenting (GV 24) etc.; Baihui (GV 20), Anmian (EX- HN 22) and Neiguan (PC 6) etc. were selected in control group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and micro-sensitive mattress sleep monitoring system were used to observe the sleep quality and sleep structure of the patients before and after treatment, respectively. RESULTS: The completely improved rate of the sleep quality of 65. 6%(21/32)in observation group was superior to that of 35.3 (12/34) in control group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between two groups in latency of falling asleep, total time of sleep, time of deep sleep stage and more than 5 min awakening times of sleep structure after treatment (all P < 0. 01), the observation group was superior to control group. CONCLUSION: The scalp point penetration needling has more significant effects for improving the sleep quality and sleep structure of insomnia patients than the routine needling.