[Impacts of the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints on the content of plasma 5-HT and NE in the patients with post-stroke insomnia].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the clinical efficacy on post-stroke insomnia between the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints and the conventional western medication in the patients so as to explore the effect mechanism.

METHODS:

One hundred and twenty patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a low-frequency electric stimulation group, a medication group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. In the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the low-frequency pulse electric apparatus was applied to stimulate Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenshu (BL 23), once every day. The treatment for 15 days made one session and 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, estazolam was taken orally, 1 mg each time; and in the placebo group, the starch capsules were taken, one capsule each time; in the two groups the treatment was adopted before sleep every night, continuously for 15 days as one session, and 2 sessions were required. The levels of plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups and: the efficacy was compared.

RESULTS:

In the placebo group, 1 case was dropped out. The total effective rate was 95. 0% (38/40), 92. 5% (37/40) and 17. 9% (7/39) in the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the medication group and the placebo group respectively. The effects in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group were better apparently than that in the placebo group (both P<0. 01). The effect was not different significantly between the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group (P>0. 05). The levels of plasma 5-HT and NE were not different significantly between before and after treatment in the placebo group. The level of plasma 5-HT was increased (both P<0. 05) and thelevel of NE was decreased (both P<0. 05) as compared with that before treatment in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and the medication group. But the differences were not significant between the two groups (P>0. 05).

CONCLUSION:

The low-frequency electric stimlaton a the acupoints is safe and effective in the treatment of post-stroke insomnia, which is similar to oral medication of estazolam. The outcome of the increase of plasma 5-HT level and the decrease of plasma NE level is probably one of the effect mechanisms.

• Authors: Lei Tang, Chaoyan Ma, Fei You, Lin Ding
• Journal: Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion (Zhongguo Zhen Jiu) Vol. 35 Issue 8 Pg. 763-7 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 0255-2930 [Print] China
• PMID: 26571887 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Serotonin
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Acupuncture Points
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Electric Stimulation
• Electroacupuncture
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Norepinephrine (blood)
• Serotonin (blood)
• Sleep
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (blood, etiology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Stroke (blood, complications, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome