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Self-administered acupressure for insomnia disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Wing Fai Yeung1, Branda Yee-Man Yu2, Ka-Fai Chung3
1School of Nursing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, China; Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, China.
Summary
Self-administered acupressure (SAA) significantly improves insomnia symptoms and daytime impairment compared to sleep hygiene education. This training course offers an effective approach for managing insomnia disorder.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Sleep Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Insomnia is a prevalent community health issue.
- Self-administered acupressure (SAA) presents a potential non-pharmacological intervention for insomnia.
- Existing research lacks comparison of SAA training with standard sleep education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of SAA, delivered via a training course, in alleviating insomnia disorder.
- To compare the effects of SAA training against sleep hygiene education (SHE) for insomnia treatment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 200 participants diagnosed with insomnia disorder.
- Participants were randomized to either SAA or SHE groups, each receiving a two-session training course.
- Outcomes assessed included insomnia severity (ISI), sleep patterns (diary, actigraphy), anxiety/depression (HADS), and quality of life (SF6D) at weeks 4 and 8.
Main Results:
- The SAA group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores at both 4 and 8 weeks compared to the SHE group.
- SAA intervention led to a notable reduction in anxiety and depression scores (HADS) and an improvement in quality of life (SF6D) by week 8.
- Effect sizes (Cohen's d) indicated a moderate to large effect for SAA on insomnia symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- Self-administered acupressure (SAA) training is a feasible and effective method for improving sleep quality and reducing daytime impairment in individuals with insomnia disorder.
- SAA demonstrates superior outcomes compared to sleep hygiene education in managing insomnia symptoms.
- The approach also positively impacts associated mood disturbances and overall quality of life.
