Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating the spirit) on restless leg syndrome and its concomitance symptoms of sleep disorder and anxiety, and to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of tiaoshen acupuncture.
Methods: A total of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Conventional acupuncture at lower limbs' acupoints such as Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) was applied in the control group. On the basis of the control group, acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and Benshen (GB 13) was added in the observation group. In both groups, the treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week, one week as a course and totally 3 courses were required. Scores of international restless leg syndrome rating scale (IRLS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.
Results: Compared before treatment, scores of IRLS, PSQI and HAMA after treatment were decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the improvement in the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: On the basis of conventional acupuncture, tiaoshen acupuncture can effectively relieve the discomforts of the lower limbs in patients with restless leg syndrome, improve the sleep disorder and anxiety, which is better than conventional acupuncture.
Keywords: acupuncture; anxiety; restless leg syndrome; sleep disorder; tiaoshen acupuncture.