Effects of opening and closing six-qi acupuncture as adjuvant therapy for sleep disorders of elderly

Sleep disorder is essentially a huge threat to both physiological and psychological health of human being, especially elderly, and population aging has exacerbated the situation. Hypnotics are effective therapy for sleep disorder, while side-effects are frequently observed after long-term medication of hypnotics. The effects of opening and closing six-qi acupuncture (OCSQA) as an adjuvant therapy of hypnotics (i.e., Estazolam) treatment for sleep disorder of elderly were explored based on the Pittsburgh sleep quality index scores, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, the serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and the overall efficacy. Hypnotics could effectively relieve sleep disorder of elderly; OCSQA had positive impacts on the relief of sleep disorder by hypnotics, and can relieve side-effects (e.g., anxiety, ataxia) induced by medication of hypnotics. Additionally, no significant adverse events were reported. OCSQA is an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for sleep disorder of elderly due to therapeutic benefits on treatment with hypnotics.