The effects of acupuncture treatment on sleep quality and on emotional measures among individuals living with schizophrenia

Introduction Insomnia is a sleep disorder frequently observed among individuals living with schizophrenia. Its causes are varied, and it has serious consequences on daytime functioning and quality of life. Moreover, studies have confirmed that individuals living with schizophrenia are resistant to insomnia medications. Since previous studies have demonstrated the positive influence of acupuncture on several diseases and disorders, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of acupuncture on sleep quality and on emotional measures among patients with schizophrenia. Materials and methods Twenty patients with schizophrenia participated in the study (mean age=43.15, SD=9.42; 10 males and 10 females). The study comprised a seven-day running-in no-treatment period, followed by an eight-week experimental period. During the experimental period, participants were treated with acupuncture twice a week. During the first week (no-treatment period) and the last week of the experimental period, participants filled out a broad spectrum of questionnaires and their sleep was continuously monitored by wrist actigraph. Results A paired-sample t -test was conducted, comparing psychopathology score, level of anxiety and objective sleep parameters manifested by patients before and after acupuncture treatment. The results indicated that acupuncture improved total psychopathology score (PANNS) ( t (19)=8.261, p t (19)=5.959, p t (18)=2.857, p Conclusion The present study implies that acupuncture can have beneficial effects in improving emotional measures and in treating insomnia in schizophrenic patients. Acknowledgement The authors thank Paula S. Herer for assisting in the statistical analysis.