Poor sleep quality is common among Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, with potential causative factors including chemical changes in the brain that disrupt sleep-wake cycles; PD medications that negatively affect the ability to fall or stay asleep; and mental-health challenges from living with the disease itself.
A recent single-center randomized, double-blind clinical trial1 suggests acupuncture may benefit PD patients. Among nearly 80 patients with self-reported moderate or severe sleep problems, as indicated by Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale scores at baseline, patients who received real acupuncture (RA) showed significant improvement in PDSS scores compared to patients who received sham acupuncture (SA). Differences were noted at four and eight weeks post-treatment.
As noted by the study authors in their findings, which appear in JAMA Network Open, “Participants in the RA group experienced a significant 29.65-point improvement in PDSS scores 4 weeks posttreatment, which persisted to 8 weeks of follow-up. ... Patients in the SA group also had a significant 10.47-point improvement in PDSS scores at week 4, but this effect did not persist during follow-up.”
All patients in the study received acupunture or sham acupuncture (three times per week for four weeks, 30-minute sessions) at the same acupoint locations (including bilateral connections): Si Shenzhen, Shen Ting (GV 24), Yin Tang (GV 29), He Gu (LI 4), Tai Chong (LR 3), San Yin Jiao (SP 6), Shen Men (HT 7), Zu San Li (ST 36), Shen Mai (BL 62), and Zhao Hai (K I6).
Editor’s Note: As this study is published in an open-access journal, the full text is available free of charge at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820371.
Reference
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
In prior issues, Neil discussed the Gallbladder Official as a whole (March 20 including points 17 and 24); points 37-41 (June 2013); points 1, 16, and 20 (May 2021); and points 2-3, 8-9, and 12-13 (April 2024). This article focuses on GB points 7, 10, 14-15, 18-19, 21, and 23.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability, often managed with pharmacological and surgical interventions. However, acupuncture has long been used as a non-invasive treatment for knee pain, and recent research provides new insights into its underlying mechanisms.
