Effect of Auricular Acupuncture Combined with Electroacupuncture on Sleep Quality, Neurotransmitter and Hormone Levels in Menopausal Insomniacs

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of auricular acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture on sleep quality, neurotransmitter and hormone levels in menopausal insomniacs, in order to provide a potential clinical treatment method. Methods A total of 138 patients with menopausal insomnia who treated in our hospital from February 2018 to February 2020 were selected and divided into a control group (received electroacupuncture treatment) and an observation group(received combined treatment of auricular acupuncture and electroacupuncture) , with 69 cases in each group. The Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome scores, sleep quality, sex hormone levels, and neurotransmitter levels before and after treatment were compared between the two groups of patients, and the occurrence of adverse reactions during the treatment of the two groups was compared. Results After treatment, in the observation group,no serious adverse reactions and higher levels of  estradiol, 5-hydroxytryptamine were observed ,while the rest indices were found to be lower compared to those before treatment and those in the control group. Conclusion The combined therapy of auricular acupuncture with electroacupuncture has potential in treating menopausal insomniacs.