Adjunctive electroacupuncture to facilitate discontinuation of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in chronic insomnia: a randomized controlled trial protocol - Report - MDSpire

Adjunctive electroacupuncture to facilitate discontinuation of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in chronic insomnia: a randomized controlled trial protocol

  • By

  • Yaoxin Chen

  • Pei Shen

  • Gongyue Zhou

  • Wenlin Xu

  • Yijia Wan

  • Cong Wang

  • May 6, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Electroacupuncture for Discontinuation of Non-Benzodiazepines

Overview

This report outlines a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for reducing non-benzodiazepine hypnotics use in patients with chronic insomnia disorder. The study seeks to address a significant gap in current insomnia management strategies.

Background

Incorporate statistics or references to support claims about CID prevalence and impact.

Data Highlights

This study will enroll 78 adults with chronic insomnia disorder, comparing electroacupuncture to sham treatment over a 6-week tapering protocol for NBZDs.

Key Findings

  • The trial will assess the successful discontinuation rate of NBZDs as the primary outcome.
  • Secondary outcomes include subjective sleep scales, objective sleep parameters, and daytime functioning assessments.
  • Participants will receive electroacupuncture three times per week at predefined acupoints.
  • Safety will be monitored through systematic documentation of adverse events.
  • This study aims to provide high-quality evidence for integrating electroacupuncture into insomnia management.

Clinical Implications

The findings from this trial may support the use of electroacupuncture as a low-risk, non-pharmacological option for patients seeking to discontinue NBZDs. This could enhance current treatment protocols for chronic insomnia and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

This trial represents a significant step towards validating electroacupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in the management of chronic insomnia disorder, potentially offering a safer alternative to pharmacological treatments.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Electroacupuncture for treating the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized controlled trial
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Individualized Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Guided by Models for Insomnia Disorder Treatment: A Protocol for a Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
  3. BMC Psychiatry, 2026 -- Transcranial alternating current stimulation for chronic insomnia: a meta-analytic evaluation of sleep restoration and safety in adults
  4. Assessment of the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in treating secondary constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  5. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2024 -- Masked Taper With Behavioral Intervention for Discontinuation of Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: A Randomized Clinical Trial
  6. Frontiers, 2025 -- Acupuncture for chronic insomnia disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
  7. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for Insomnia
  8. Masked Taper With Behavioral Intervention for Discontinuation of Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Less is More | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network
  9. Frontiers | Acupuncture for chronic insomnia disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

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