Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for menopausal insomnia and its effect on serum hormone levels

Abstract

To explore the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for menopausal insomnia. A total of 80 patients with menopausal insomnia were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 40 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received conventional Western medication treatment, and the patients in the observation group received TEAS on the basis of conventional Western medication treatment. The treatment for both groups lasted for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and modified Kupperman scale were evaluated, and the serum levels of estradiol (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after treatment. After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P 0.05); the PSQI and Kupperman scores in the observation group were significantly improved after treatment (both P 0.05); the serum E2 level was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the FSH level was decreased (P<0.05) in the observation group after treatment, and the between- group differences in serum levels of E2 and FSH were significant (both P<0.05). TEAS plus conventional Western medication in treating menopausal insomnia is effective, and can significantly improve the symptoms of insomnia and menopause, which may be related to the regulation of serum E2 and FSH levels.