A randomized controlled trial with a combination of low frequency electroacupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for short-term insomnia

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for short-term insomnia. Methods: Patients with "short-term insomnia" were randomly divided into the treatment and control groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with low-frequency EA combined with CBT, while those in the control group were only treated with low-frequency EA. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS) scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment within the same group, as well as between the two groups. After four weeks of treatment, the comprehensive therapeutic effects of both treatment modalities and the number of people who developed chronic insomnia were compared. Results: The differences in PSQI score, PSQI sleep rate, ISI score, and DBAS score band after treatment, within the same group and between groups were statistically significant. There was significant difference in DBAS score between the two groups before and after treatment, and in the composition ratio of comprehensive therapeutic effects between the two groups. Conclusion: Low-frequency EA combined with CBT and low-frequency EA alone can significantly improve sleep cycles in patients with insomnia, reduce the sleep severity index, prevent daytime sleepiness symptoms in patients, and improve cognition in patients. Low-frequency EA combined with CBT had better therapeutic effects and improved cognition in patients, and hence can be recommended.