Scalp acupuncture for sleep disorder induced by pre-examination anxiety in undergraduates

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture on sleep disorder induced by pre-examination anxiety in the undergraduates. MethodsA total of 60 undergraduates with sleep disorder induced by the final examination anxiety were randomized into three groups, named a control group (20 cases), a traditional acupuncture group (20 cases) and a scalp acupuncture group (20 cases). In the control group, no any treatment was given. In the traditional acupuncture group, acupuncture was given at Sìshéncōng (四神聪EX-HN1), bilateral Shénmén (神门HT 7) and bilateral Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交SP 6). The needles were manipulated with the even-needling technique and retained for 30 min. In the scalp acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to upper-middle line of occiput (枕上正中线MS 12), middle line of vertex (顶中线MS 5) and middle line of forehead (额中线MS 1). The needles were manipulated with the even-needling technique and retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day and 5 treatments made one course. There were 2 days at interval among the courses. The therapeutic effects were analyzed statistically after 4 courses of treatment. Before and after treatment, the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were adopted to evaluate the conditions of pre-examination anxiety and sleep in the patients. ResultsIn comparison of PSQI score, compared with those before treatment, the score in the scalp acupuncture group (12.95 ± 1.76 vs 15.95 ± 1.82) and in the traditional acupuncture group (13.75 ± 1.62 vs 15.75 ± 1.86) after 1-week of treatment were reduced (both P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the score in the scalp acupuncture group (12.95 ± 1.76 vs15.78 ± 2.02) and in the traditional acupuncture group (13.75 ± 1.62 vs 15.78 ± 2.02) were better (both P < 0.05). The difference was not significant between the scalp acupuncture group and the traditional acupuncture group (P > 0.05). In 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, as well as 1 week after treatment termination, compared with the control group at the same time point, the scores in the scalp acupuncture group (in 2-week treatment: 8.95 ± 1.88 vs 15.94 ± 1.89, in 4-week treatment: 5.95 ± 1.05 vs 16.5 ± 1.95, 1 week after treatment termination: 4.7 ± 0.77 vs 9.78 ± 2.10) and the traditional acupuncture group (in 2-week treatment: 11.15 ± 1.31 vs 15.94 ± 1.89, in 4-week treatment: 8.05 ± 0.89 vs 16.5 ± 1.95, 1 week after treatment termination: 6.25 ± 0.85 vs 9.78 ± 2.10) were all lower (all P < 0.05) separately. The scores in the scalp acupuncture group were superior to the traditional acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). In comparison of HAMD score, compared with those before treatment, the score in the scalp acupuncture group (22.4 ± 5.31 vs 25.2 ± 6.18) and in the traditional acupuncture group (22.4 ± 5.31 vs 25 ± 5.97) after 1-week of treatment were reduced (both P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the score in the scalp acupuncture group (22.4 ± 5.31 vs 23.28 ± 5.53) and in the traditional acupuncture group (22.4 ± 5.31 vs 23.28 ± 5.53) were better (both P < 0.05). The difference was not significant between the scalp acupuncture group and the traditional acupuncture group (P > 0.05). In 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, as well as 1 week after treatment termination, compared with the control group at the same time point, the scores in the scalp acupuncture group (in 2-week treatment: 18.5 ± 4.56 vs 24.22 ± 5.22, in 4-week treatment: 5.8 ± 3.52 vs 21.22 ± 6.7,1 week after treatment termination: 4.55 ± 2.72 vs 11.78 ± 9.36) and the traditional acupuncture group (in 2-week treatment: 17.5 ± 4.59 vs 24.22 ± 5.22, in 4-week treatment: 6.95 ± 3.33 vs 21.22 ± 6.7, 1 week after treatment termination: 5.8 ± 2.76 vs 11.78 ± 9.36) were all lower (all P < 0.05) separately. The scores in the scalp acupuncture group were superior to the traditional acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). In 4-week treatment and 1 week after treatment termination, compared with control group, the total effective rates in the traditional acupuncture group (in 4-week treatment: 95% vs 11%, 1 week after treatment termination: 100% vs 83.33%, both P < 0.05) and the scalp acupuncture group (in 4-week treatment: 95% vs 11%, 1 week after treatment termination: 100% vs 83.33%, both P < 0.05) were better and the difference was not significant between the traditional acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture group (both P > 0.05). ConclusionBoth scalp acupuncture and traditional acupuncture therapies are effective on sleep disorder induced by pre-examination anxiety in the undergraduates. The scalp acupuncture therapy achieves the better effects on the instant relief of symptoms.