The effect of KI-3. HT-7. ST-36. PC-6, anmian I, GB-20, DU-20 acupuncture on relieving insomnia in pregnant woman

Background: Sleep disorders are common during pregnancy. Poor sleep has been associated with outcomes such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and postpartum depression. Melatonin is a neurohormone, which is secreted by the pineal gland and regulates the sleep – wake cycle. Insomnia can change this normal circadian rhythm. Acupuncture can be an alternative treatment for insomnia. The purpose of this study is the comparison of acupuncture and sleep hygiene on improving insomnia in pregnancy and effect of acupuncture on melatonin Materials and methods: Pregnant women who had attended in Motahari and Hafez clinics, and had complained of insomnia were recruited in this study. Women were allocated to two groups. 30 subjects were considered in each group. Group A received acupuncture treatment and sleep hygiene; group B received only sleep hygiene. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire used to measure the quality and disturbances of sleep. Also creatinine-adjusted urinary melatonin sulfate levels were measured as an objective tool before and after intervention. Results: Four patients from group A and one patient from group B discontinued intervention protocols during the study. PSQI scores comparison before and after intervention showed significant difference in group A (p value<0.001) but not significant difference in group B (P> 0.005). Subjective sleep quality score, sleep latency and duration, disturbances, daytime dysfunction scores were significantly better after intervention in acupuncture group (pvalue<0.001). Acupuncture treatment comparing with sleep hygiene was associated with a significant increase in early morning urine melatonin sulfate levels. δ melatonin before and after intervention was: 27.36 in group A and - 0.86 in group B (p value: 0.009) Conclusion: Acupuncture is an alternative non- pharmacological therapy for insomnia in pregnant women. It can be used for improving sleep disorders and increased the endogenous melatonin and has minimal adverse effects

Keywords:

Acupuncture , Sleep hygiene , Insomnia , melatonin , Pregnancy