Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Shen Zao An Shen Tang on Sleep Quality of Insomnia Patients Due to Deficiency of the Heart and Spleen

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Shen Zao An Shen Tang for insomnia due to deficiency of the heart and spleen, investigate the law of treating insomnia based on syndrome differentiation, and thus provide evidence for treatment based on differentiation of insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: A total of 62 cases with insomnia due to deficiency of the heart and spleen were randomized into a combined acupuncture and Chinese herbal formula group and a Western medication group, 31 cases in each group. Acupuncture and self-made Shen Zao An Shen Tang were employed in the former, while Estazolam was used in the latter. After a 28-day treatment, the clinical efficacy, sleep efficiency, sleep dysfunction rating scale(SDRS) and adverse reactions in the two groups were observed and compared. Results: The total effective rate in the combined acupuncture and Chinese herb formula group was 96.8%, versus 74.2% in the Western medication group, showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). After treatment, the sleep efficiency ratios in both groups were significantly increased(P<0.01, P<0.05), and there was a between-group statistically significant difference(P<0.05). Also, the SDRS scores in both groups were decreased(P<0.01, P<0.01) and there was a between-group statistically significant difference(P<0.01). In addition, the adverse reaction rate in the combined acupuncture and Chinese herb formula group was significantly lower than that in the Western medication group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining acupuncture and Chinese herb formula can obtain a substantial clinical efficacy for insomnia due to deficiency of the heart and spleen and improve the patients' sleep quality. Compared with Estazolam, it is better in effect and less in adverse reactions.