[Effectiveness of acupuncture and attitude-relaxation training in the treatment of primary sleep disorders]

Abstract

The present study focuses on the differential efficiency of specific psychological and medical procedures for the treatment of chronic sleep disorders (primary symptoms). 32 selected subjects with chronic sleep disorders were assigned to one of the following groups according to their own choice: cognitive change and relaxation training (n = 12), needle acupuncture (n = 8), laser acupuncture (n = 12), and a waiting control group (n = 12). Before, during, and after the respective therapy each subject kept a record with 13 items about his/her sleeping behaviour which had to be filled out every morning.

Results: All treatment groups showed an increase in the subjective recovery by sleep as well as a decrease in the use of drugs. On a follow up after two weeks the cognitive change/relaxation group showed a significant decrease in the time required to fall asleep and in the frequency of waking up.