Evaluating acupuncture for treating primary insomnia

The RCT Study on the Evaluation of Clinical Effect of Primary Insomnia Treated With the Tiaoshen Acupuncture

Not applicable Interventional The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University · NCT05830877

This study is testing whether Tiaoshen acupuncture can help people with primary insomnia sleep better compared to a fake acupuncture treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment84 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
Trial IDNCT05830877 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study recruits outpatients diagnosed with primary insomnia to evaluate the efficacy of Tiaoshen acupuncture compared to a placebo acupuncture treatment. Participants will undergo assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and other subjective and objective measures, including polysomnography and heart rate variability. The goal is to determine the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture in improving sleep quality and to explore its underlying mechanisms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-70 who meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia and have a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score greater than 7.

Not a fit: Patients with severe mental illnesses, significant cognitive impairments, or other sleep disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-pharmacological treatment option for patients suffering from primary insomnia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for acupuncture in treating insomnia, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Conforming to the diagnostic criteria of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for chronic insomnia;
* Age range: 18-70 years old;
* PSQI score\>7 points; SAS score \> 50 or SDS score \> 53;
* No communication and cognitive impairment;
* No use or withdrawal of psychoactive drugs such as anti-anxiety within one month; ·No major physical diseases;
* Those who voluntarily accept the research content and can complete various scale evaluations, polysomnography monitoring and HRV;
* Sign an informed consent form prior to the start of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those who do not meet the inclusion criteria;
* Persons with a history of severe mental illness, severe head injury, and significant disturbance of consciousness;
* Those with severe liver and renal insufficiency and bleeding tendencies;
* Alcoholism (liquor ≥ 100ml/day), smoking (≥ 15 cigarettes/day), drug abuse or taking psychotropic drugs;
* People with other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, paroxysmal sleeping sickness, and REM sleep behavioral disorders;
* Pregnant or nursing;
* Those with other major diseases and poor control;
* Other persons who are unwilling to sign informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Primary InsomniaacupunctureRCT
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.