[Tiaoshen acupuncture for shift work circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiaoshen (regulating the mind) acupuncture for shift work circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder (SWD).

METHODS

A total of 84 patients with shift work circadian rhythm SWD were randomly divided into a Tiaoshen acupuncture group (42 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a non-meridian non-acupoint group (42 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Both groups received sleep health education as basic treatment. The Tiaoshen acupuncture group was treated with Tiaoshen acupuncture, Baihui (GV20), bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Touwei (ST8), Shenmen (HT7), Zusanli (ST36), as well as auricular points Shenmen (TF4), Xin (CO15) were selected. The non-meridian non-acupoint group received shallow needling at non-meridian non-acupoint points, as well as non-related auricular points. Both groups were treated 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Before treatment, after treatment, and after 3 months of treatment completion, the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the sleep and emotional status in the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared before treatment, the MEQ scores were increased after treatment and after 3 months of treatment completion in the two groups (P<0.001, P<0.01); the scores of PSQI, SAS and SDS were decreased after treatment and after 3 months of treatment completion in the Tiaoshen acupuncture group (P<0.001), and the scores of SAS and SDS were decreased after treatment in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P<0.01). After treatment and after 3 months of treatment completion, the MEQ scores in the Tiaoshen acupuncture group were higher than those in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P<0.001), and the PSQI scores in the Tiaoshen acupuncture group were lower than those in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P<0.001); after treatment, the SAS and SDS scores in the Tiaoshen acupuncture group were lower than those in the non-meridian non-acupoint group (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Tiaoshen acupuncture can effectively improve the sleep-wake rhythm and sleep quality of patients with shift work circadian rhythm SWD, alleviate the accompanying anxiety and depression.