Acupuncture and reflexology for insomnia: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of patient recruitment and retention, logistics of intervention and outcome measure sensitivity for a study designed to investigate the use of acupuncture and reflexology for the management of insomnia.


METHODS
Feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
University of Ulster Clinic.


METHODS
Thirteen participants with sleep disturbances.


METHODS
Participants were randomised to receive one of three treatments, either: acupuncture (n = 5), reflexology (n = 4) or music therapy (n = 4). These treatments were administered six times over a 3-week period.


METHODS
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Short Form 36 version 2 (SF-36v2) were recorded at baseline, post-treatment and follow-up. Each participant also completed a Sleep Diary.


RESULTS
Ten participants completed treatment. In the acupuncture and reflexology groups, a clinically relevant improvement in two out of three participants was observed on the PSQI following treatment. Music therapy produced no clinically important improvements. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of conducting an RCT on the effect of acupuncture and reflexology in primary insomnia using PSQI as the primary outcome measure. Modifications for a more rigorous study design have been discussed. Results from such a study would address the lack of high-quality evidence for the effectiveness of such therapies.
Hughes
Ciara M
CM
School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Ulster BT37 0QB, UK. cm.hughes@ulster.ac.uk
McCullough
Carey A
CA
Bradbury
Ian
I
Boyde
Carol
C
Hume
Diane
D
Yuan
Jiang
J
Quinn
Fionnuala
F
McDonough
Suzanne M
SM
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012890:Sleep; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome