The effect of acupuncture treatment for insomnia in chronic hemodialysis patients

J A Widjaja, C Simadibrata, A Srilestari, M B H Marbun · Journal of Physics Conference Series · 2017 August 30

Objective

In this study, we explored the role of acupuncture as a treatment for symptoms of insomnia in patients on chronic dialysis.

Conclusions

Acupuncture treatment effectively improved the quality of sleep and the quality of life for these chronic hemodialysis patients.

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Insights

Acupuncture treatment effectively improved the quality of sleep and the quality of life for chronic hemodialysis patients.

Twenty-eight hemodialysis patients suffering from insomnia were divided randomly into two groups, an acupuncture group (n = 15) who received acupuncture treatment at the points HT7 Shenmen, PC6 Neiguan, GV20 Baihui, and EX-HN1 Sishenchong, anda control group (n = 13) who underwent a sham procedure in which a needle was inserted into an elastic bandage at the same points. The acupuncture treatment was done during hemodialysis twice a week for five weeks. PSQI scores and the WHOQOL-BREF were assessed before treatment, after the fifth treatment, and at the end of the treatment. Significant differences were found in the PSQI score and in the WHOQOL-BREF between the acupuncture group and the control group by the end of the period of treatment. Acupuncture treatment effectively improved the quality of sleep and the quality of life for these chronic hemodialysis patients.