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The Effects of Acupuncture on Insomnia Among Midlife Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Menopause Syndrome
Interventions
Other: Acupuncture
Registration Number
NCT05684822
Lead Sponsor
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Brief Summary

Aims: To explore the effects of acupuncture on the improvement of insomnia, fatigue, depression and menopausal symptoms among midlife women.

Detailed Description

This research is a study with a randomized clinical trial. Participants were 40-60 years old with a sleep disturbance which persists more than one month. Twenty participants were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received acupuncture treatment (Taichong, Shenmen, Neiguan points) twice a week, total three weeks, plus sleep hygiene guidance; the control group received subcutaneous acupuncture (non-therapeutic acupuncture points) twice a week, total three weeks and given sleep Health guidance. All participants received pre-test and post-test, including sleep multiple physiological examination (PSG), Pittsburgh sleep quality table, Epworth sleepiness scale, hospital anxiety depression scale, menopausal symptom questionnaire, sleep disturbance comprehensive scale, and wore Actiwatch for three days. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
42
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women aged 40-60 years
  • Complaints of insomnia symptoms in the past month that lasted for at least one week, such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up easily in the middle of the night, unable to fall asleep after waking up, still not getting enough sleep after waking up in the morning
  • The score of sleep disorder on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale was more than 5 points
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of psychiatric disorders
  • History of sleep apnea or nocturnal myoclonus
  • Center or neurodegenerative disease
  • Cancer
  • Melatonin or sleeping pills use in the past month

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
The control group received subcutaneous sham acupunctureAcupunctureThe control group received subcutaneous acupuncture (non-therapeutic acupuncture points) twice a week, total three weeks and given sleep Health guidance.
The experimental group received acupuncture treatmentAcupunctureThe experimental group received acupuncture treatment (Taichong, Shenmen, Neiguan points) twice a week, total three weeks, plus sleep hygiene guidance
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)15 minutes

The scale is suitable for the evaluation of sleep quality in patients with sleep disorders and mental disorders, as well as for the evaluation of sleep quality in general people.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)15 minutes

The ESS is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3), their usual chances of dozing off or falling asleep while engaged in eight different activities.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)15 minutes

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-assessment questionnaire that has been found to be a reliable instrument for detecting states of anxiety and depression in the setting of hospital outpatient clinic.

Total sleep time (TST)8 hours

TST was determined as the number of minutes asleep in bed after "lights off," considering only nighttime sleep.

Minimum spo2 level during sleep8 hours

A normal level of oxygen is usually 95% or higher. Some people with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels around 90%.

Wake time after sleep onset (WASO)8 hours

Wake time after sleep onset is time during which one is awake.

Sleep Latency8 hours

Sleep latency, or sleep onset latency, is the time it takes a person to fall asleep after turning the lights out.

Snore Outcomes Survey (SOS)15 minutes

The SOS consists of 8 items relating to the intensity, duration, frequency, and impact of SDB symptoms - specifi cally snoring.

Percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) stage8 hours

REM sleep is the stage in which most people vividly dream. These periods of sleep typically start around 90 minutes after someone falls asleep.

Mean heart rate during REM8 hours

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is characterized by periods of profound cardiac autonomic activation evident in heart rate surges in humans and canines.

Global Physical Activity Questionnaire15 minutes

The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was developed by WHO for physical activity surveillance in countries. It collects information on physical activity participation in three settings (or domains) as well as sedentary behaviour, comprising 16 questions (P1-P16)

Sleep efficiency (SE)8 hours

Sleep efficiency (SE), commonly defined as the ratio of total sleep time (TST) to time in bed (TIB), plays a central role in insomnia research and practice. The significance of SE is understandable because it captures a core problem for those suffering from insomnia-spending too much time in bed trying to sleep.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ministry of Health and Welfare Tainan Hospital

🇨🇳

Tainan, Taiwan

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