Home ׀ Health News ׀ About Us ׀

Home ׀ Health News ׀ About Us ׀ Articles ׀ Links ׀ Forms/Directions

RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH BENEFITS

OF ACUPUNCTURE

John G. Connor, M.Ac, L.Ac.

May 2005

• A study conducted by Phillips and Skelton entitled "Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease" was published in J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care in 2001 Jan-Feb;2(1):27-39. Participating in the study were 21 HIV-infected men and women between the ages of 29 and 50 years who reported sleep disturbance three or more times per week and who scored greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Acupuncture was individualized to address insomnia and other symptoms reported by the participants. Sleep activity and sleep quality significantly improved following 5 weeks of individualized acupuncture delivered in a group setting.

• A study conducted by Montakab (article in German) entitled "Acupuncture and insomnia" and published in Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Feb;6 Suppl 1:29-31 involved 40 patients with primary difficulties in either falling asleep or remaining asleep were diagnosed according to traditional Chinese medicine, allocated to specific diagnostic subgroups and treated individually by a practitioner in his private practice. The patients were randomized into t3wo groups, one receiving true acupnctu4e, the other needled at non-acupuncture points for 3-5 sessions at weekly intervals.. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that true and individualized acupuncture indeed shows efficacy in primary sleep disorders. However, a direct influence by the therapist cannot be excluded.

• An open prepost clinical trial study conducted by Spence DW et al entitled "Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report" and published in J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2004 Winter;16(1)19-28 studied the response to acupuncture of 18 anxious adult subjects who complained of insomnia. The study found that acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.

• A systematic review conducted by Sok SR et al entitled "Effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia" and published in J Adv Nurs 2003 Nov;44(4):375-84 concluded that acupuncture may an an effective intervention for the relief of insomnia. Further research, using a randomized clinical trial design, is necessary to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture.

Home ׀ Health News ׀ About Us ׀ Articles ׀ Links ׀ Forms/Directions

Compassionate Acupuncture & Healing Arts, 4501 Valley Forge Rd., Durham, NC 27705 Tel. 919-309-7753 Email: compassionateacu@mindspring.com