The effect of acupuncture treatment on sleep quality in post-stroke patients.

Researchers investigated whether acupuncture could help stroke survivors sleep better during their early recovery. Sleep problems are very common after a stroke, and finding safe, effective treatments is important for recovery. This study looked at 70 patients who had experienced an ischemic stroke and were having trouble sleeping during their rehabilitation. Half of the patients received standard rehabilitation care plus acupuncture treatments, while the other half received only standard rehabilitation. The researchers measured sleep quality at the beginning of the study, after 4 weeks of treatment, and again 4 weeks after treatment ended, using a standard sleep quality questionnaire. The results showed that both groups improved their sleep over time, but the acupuncture group improved significantly more than the control group. After 4 weeks, patients receiving acupuncture showed greater improvements in their sleep quality scores, and these benefits continued even 4 weeks after treatment ended. The study also found that patients with more severe depression tended to have worse sleep problems at the start. For stroke survivors struggling with insomnia during rehabilitation, this research suggests that adding acupuncture to standard care may provide meaningful improvements in sleep quality. Acupuncture appears to be a low-risk, cost-effective option that can enhance recovery. If you're considering acupuncture for post-stroke sleep problems, work with a licensed acupuncturist who has experience treating neurological conditions.

This randomized, controlled, single-blind trial evaluated acupuncture's efficacy for post-stroke insomnia in 70 ischemic stroke patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Participants were randomized to receive either acupuncture plus standard rehabilitation or standard rehabilitation alone. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline, week 4 (end of treatment), and week 8 (4-week follow-up). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements from baseline to week 4 (p<0.001 for acupuncture; p=0.008 for control) and baseline to week 8 (p<0.001 for both). However, the acupuncture group showed significantly greater reductions in PSQI scores compared to controls at both time points. A correlation was identified between baseline PSQI scores and depression severity. Clinical implications suggest acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy provides sustained improvements in sleep quality for early post-stroke patients with insomnia, supporting its integration into stroke rehabilitation protocols.