Comparison of Sedative Effect of Specific Acupuncture and Foot Reflexology in Primary Insomnia

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common sleeplessness disorder which affecting 10%–15% of adults. It is found that the quality of sleep is greatly affected among many peoples that results in stress and other lifestyle disorders. Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine, recent evidences shows it alleviate the sedation on different needling techniques and foot reflexology. In this study we evaluate the Sedative effects of specific acupuncture and foot reflexology in improving the quality of sleep METHODS: A Comparative Study were done to assess the efficacy of Specific Acupuncture treatment, which involves needling and Foot Reflexology which involves thumb pressure for patients with Primary insomnia. Total of sixty subjects, mean aged (30.39 ± 3.9) were randomly assigned into two groups after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Specific Acupuncture group, SA (N=30) and Foot Reflexology group, FR (N=30). Both groups were assessed at baseline day 1 and after 10 days for Pittsburgh sleep quality Index (PSQI) and the Athens insomnia scale (AIS). During these 10 days the Standard Acupuncture group received GV-20, SP-6 and H-7 acupuncture points bilaterally for 30 minutes of duration daily and Foot Reflexology group received acupressure or tender points on foot. Finally Specific Acupuncture group SA (N=30) and Foot Reflexology group FR (N=30) were completed the study. RESULTS: Both Specific Acupuncture group and Foot Reflexology group showed significantly improvement in quality of sleep by Pittsburgh sleep quality Index (PSQI) and the Athens insomnia scale (AIS) (p