Ground-based experimental study of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for the treatment of mild-to-moderate insomnia
Yu Yi
Wang Yingdong
Xi Qiang
Zhang Mingxing
Guo Yi
Abstract：Objective To clarify the prescription of acupoints for preventing and controlling insomnia problems of astronauts in orbit and to verify its effectiveness through ground-based experiments,so as to provide reference for space-based applications.Methods 60 patients with mild to moderate insomnia were randomly divided into 30 cases each in the experimental group and the control group.The experimental group was treated with TEAS,and the acupoints were Neiguan,Waiguan,Shenmen,Hegu,Shenmai,Zhaohai,Taixi,and Sanyinjiao for 30 min/times every other day for 4 weeks;the control group was treated with waiting.The TEAS treatment was evaluated using Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),insomnia severity index(ISI),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),Hamilton depression scale(HAMD),and indicators measured by the sleep monitor at pre-treatment,2-week,4-week,and 8-week follow-ups.Clinical efficacy for mild to moderate insomnia was assessed.Results The PSQI,ISI,and HAMD scores in the experimental group exhibited a decreasing trend during treatment and at follow-up,with significantly greater improvement compared to the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in HAMA scores than the control group at both the 4-week and 8-week follow-up assessments(P<0.05).Additionally,the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in reducing nighttime awakenings and enhancing sleep efficiency compared to the control group at the 4-week treatment mark(P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS Neiguan,Waiguan,Shenmen,Hegu,Shenmai,Zhaohai,Taixi and Sanyinjiao acupoints can significantly improve the sleep quality and anxiety and depression of patients with mild to moderate insomnia,and provide clinical data support for the prevention and treatment of insomnia in astronauts in orbit.
Keywords：transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulationastronautsinsomniarandomized controlled trial
Publication Date：2025-10-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-11-13(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 429-434 )