Clinical Report: Investigating Acupuncture's Efficacy in Treating Chronic Insomnia
Background
Chronic insomnia is prevalent and often coexists with mild cognitive impairment, leading to exacerbated cognitive and daytime dysfunction. Traditional pharmacological treatments can have adverse effects, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) faces accessibility challenges. Acupuncture presents a non-pharmacological alternative, yet evidence supporting its efficacy in this specific population remains limited.
Data Highlights
This study will enroll 82 participants, randomized into acupuncture and sham-acupuncture groups, with assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and other cognitive measures over an 8-9 week period.
Key Findings
The trial will assess the primary endpoint of PSQI score changes from baseline to post-treatment.
Secondary outcomes include the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Participants will undergo 10 treatment sessions over approximately 4 weeks.
Follow-up assessments will occur at 1 week and 1 month post-treatment.
The study aims to provide sham-controlled evidence for acupuncture's efficacy in a comorbid population.
Clinical Implications
The findings from this trial could inform the use of acupuncture as a potential treatment for chronic insomnia in patients with MCI. If effective, acupuncture may serve as a valuable non-pharmacological option for managing insomnia in this vulnerable population.
Conclusion
This trial protocol represents a significant step towards understanding the role of acupuncture in treating chronic insomnia among patients with mild cognitive impairment.
