Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is well-validated in the western countries. However, it has not been widely adopted or disseminated in China. One possibility is that therapeutic approaches drawn from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will be more widely accepted.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medication in combination with a therapeutic approach drawn from TCM, Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2), for acute treatment of insomnia.
Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety primary insomnia patients were randomly assigned to receive TIP3-2 combined with medication (n = 45) or medication only (n = 45) for 4 weeks. Medication consisted of 1-2 mg Estazolam nightly. On the basis of taking Estazolam, TIP3-2 combined with medication group was given Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2) treatment twice a week. Outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) before and after treatment.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the PSQI and polysomnography indices. The TIP3-2+ medication group demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in PSQI total score, sleep medication use, daytime dysfunction, subjective sleep quality, as well as polysomnography indices of sleep efficiency and awakening times (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Among patients with primary insomnia, the addition of TIP3-2 provided benefits above and beyond the role of medication alone.