Clinical efficacy of meridian differentiation acupuncture in the treatment of intractable insomnia based on objective data: a protocol for a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial

Chu W, Gao L, Li Y, Gao XY, Guo X, Zhang BY, Lin N, Li B, Dong L · BMJ Open · 2025 July

DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095833

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of meridian differentiation acupuncture compared with conventional acupuncture and sham acupuncture in improving outcomes related to intractable insomnia.

Conclusions

This study protocol presents a multicentre, single-blind, randomised, sham acupuncture-controlled trial designed to assess whether meridian differentiation acupuncture improves sleep quality and other insomnia-related outcomes in patients with intractable insomnia.

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Insights

Individualised acupuncture guided by meridian assessment may improve persistent insomnia more effectively than standard or simulated acupuncture.

This multicentre, single-blind randomised controlled trial will assign adults with persistent insomnia to individualised meridian-guided acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, or simulated acupuncture. Researchers will measure subjective sleep quality, movement-based sleep recordings, sleep diaries, traditional symptom assessments, anxiety symptoms, and meridian imbalance before treatment, during treatment, and after follow-up periods. The study will compare whether individualised meridian-guided acupuncture produces greater and more sustained improvements in sleep, related symptoms, anxiety, and measured meridian balance than conventional or simulated acupuncture.