Comparison of the Effectiveness of Press Needle Acupuncture with Filiform Needle Acupuncture for Symptoms of Insomnia in Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:

Health care workers on the frontline of a pandemic may experience insomnia. Acupuncture can be a nonpharmacological therapy option in treating insomnia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of manual acupuncture with press needle and filiform needle modalities in treating insomnia symptoms.

Methods:

The study design was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 34 subjects, all health care workers and experiencing symptoms of insomnia, were randomly allocated to a press needle group (n = 17) and a filiform needle group (n = 17). Subjects in the press needle group received press needle application, followed by pressure stimulation three times a day for 2 weeks. Press needles were replaced every 5 days or as needed. The filiform needle group received treatment three times a week for 2 weeks. The same acupuncture points were used for the two groups and for each treatment. Assessments with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were obtained before and after intervention and at 2 and 4 weeks after therapy, and serum melatonin levels were obtained before and after therapy.

Results:

There was a decrease in PSQI scores after intervention in the press needle and filiform needle groups (p < 0.001), and the effect of acupuncture therapy in both groups persisted 4 weeks post-therapy. There was no significant difference in post-therapy melatonin in each group. An analysis of the PSQI component between the two groups showed significant differences in sleep duration and sleep efficiency. The filiform needle group experienced significantly longer sleep duration and improved efficiency.

Discussion:

Our study indicates that press needle may be an option in treating patients with symptoms of insomnia.