Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of shallow-needle therapy combined with estazolam on insomnia differentiated as liver stagnation transforming into fire and its effect on adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) and cortisol(CORT)

so as to explore the mechanism of this combined treatment. Methods A total of 119 patients with insomnia of liver stagnation transforming into fire pattern were randomly divided into shallow-needle therapy group(n=40)

medication group(n=39)

and shallow-needle therapy combined with medication group(combined therapy group

n=40). In the shallow-needle therapy group

the patients were treated with finger pressure and operation with shallow stimulating at Zhenjing(Dong's extra point

sedative point) and Taichong(LR3). In the medication group

the patients were administered with estazolam(1 mg) orally. In the combined therapy group

both shallow-needle therapy and medication were administered. The treatment was given once daily in each group

10 days as one session of treatment and 2 sessions were required. Before and after the treatment

Pittsburgh sleep quality index scale(PSQI) and Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS) were used to assess sleep and anxiety status. ELISA was used to detect the contents of ACTH and CORT in plasma. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in each group. Results In within-group comparison

PSQI scores

SAS scores and the concentrations of ACTH and CORT in plasma were all decreased(P<0.05) after treatment for the patients of three groups. After treatment

the total PSQI score

the score for sleep latency

sleep duration and daytime dysfunction

as well as SAS score in the combined therapy group were all lower than those of the shallow-needle therapy group(P<0.05); the total PSQI score

the score for sleep duration and sleep efficiency

as well as SAS score were lower when compared with the medication group(P<0.05). The total effective rates were 87.50%(35/40)

82.05%(32/39) and 95.00%(38/40) in the shallow-needle therapy group

the medication group and the combined therapy group

respectively. The total effective rate in the combined therapy group was higher than those of the shallow-needle therapy group and the medication group separately(P<0.05). Conclusion Shallow-needle therapy combined with estazolam is effective on insomnia of liver stagnation transforming into fire pattern

and its underlying effect mechanism is related to the reduction of plasma ACTH and CORT levels.