Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Insomnia in Triangulation
Lee et al. · J Korean Acad Nurs · 2005
Evidence Level
MODERATEOBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of auricular acupressure on the treatment of insomnia
WHO
40 adult participants with insomnia, divided into experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups
DURATION
5 treatments delivered over the study period
POINTS
Specific auricular points for the treatment of insomnia were used with 1 mm pressure
🔬 Study Design
Experimental Group
n=20
Auricular acupressure at specific points
Control Group
n=20
Conventional treatment or placebo
📊 Results in numbers
Improvement in sleep score (experimental group)
Sleep score (control group)
Statistical significance
Improvement in satisfaction (experimental group)
📊 Outcome Comparison
Sleep Quality Score
Satisfaction Score
This study shows that auricular acupressure can be an effective option for improving sleep quality in people with insomnia. Participants who received the treatment experienced significant improvements in both the quality of and satisfaction with their sleep.
Article summary
Plain-language narrative summary
This Korean study investigated the effects of auricular acupressure on the treatment of insomnia through a controlled trial with 40 participants. The research was conducted to evaluate whether this traditional Chinese medicine technique could offer a therapeutic alternative for people who suffer from sleep disorders. Participants were equally divided into two groups: experimental (n=20) and control (n=20), with similar demographic characteristics between the groups. The experimental group received auricular acupressure using specific ear points with pressure applied through small 1 mm beads, while the control group received conventional treatment or placebo.
The treatment protocol consisted of 5 sessions delivered over the study period. The results showed statistically significant differences between the groups. The experimental group showed substantial improvement in the sleep quality score, reaching 31.95 points compared with 23.35 points in the control group (p<0.001). In addition, sleep satisfaction also improved significantly in the experimental group, with a score of 6.80 points versus 1.53 points in the control group.
The researchers used validated instruments to measure both objective sleep quality and subjective sleep satisfaction. The statistical analysis used appropriate tests for between-group comparisons, including t-tests and analyses of variance. The findings suggest that auricular acupressure can be an effective intervention for improving both quantitative and qualitative aspects of sleep in people with insomnia. This study contributes to the body of evidence on complementary therapies for sleep disorders, offering a non-pharmacological approach that may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Strengths
- 1Controlled design with well-defined groups
- 2Validated instruments for outcome assessment
- 3Statistically significant results
- 4Clear and reproducible methodology
Limitations
- 1Relatively small sample size (n=40)
- 2Possible lack of participant blinding
- 3Short-term follow-up
- 4Need for multicenter studies
Expert Commentary
Prof. Dr. Hong Jin Pai
PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo
▸ Clinical Relevance
Insomnia is one of the most frequent complaints in chronic pain clinics and general practice, and the search for non-pharmacological alternatives has become imperative given the risks of dependence and tolerance associated with hypnotics. This Korean controlled trial positions auricular acupressure as a concrete option in this scenario, with a statistically significant difference between groups after only five sessions. The finding is directly applicable to patients who refuse or do not tolerate medication, to polymedicated older adults, and to pregnant women with gestational insomnia. The approach integrates naturally into sleep hygiene programs and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, therapeutic combinations that are already part of the routine in specialized services. The significance reached at p<0.001 reinforces that the effect is not trivial, providing the physician with scientific support for indicating the technique.
▸ Notable Findings
The difference between sleep quality scores — 31.95 points in the experimental group versus 23.35 in the control — represents a clinically relevant magnitude, not just a statistical one. More than the quantitative improvement in sleep, the rise in the satisfaction score in the experimental group to 6.80 points, against 1.53 in the control, indicates that patients perceive and subjectively value the change, which has a direct impact on continued treatment adherence. The choice of 1 mm beads as the pressure medium on the auricular points is a relevant technical detail: it is a low-cost, easy-to-apply method that allows the patient to reinforce the stimulation between clinical sessions, prolonging the therapeutic effect beyond the office visit. The methodological triangulation approach offers a more robust evaluation of the outcomes, capturing both objective and subjective dimensions of sleep quality.
▸ From My Experience
In my practice with the Acupuncture Group at the HC-FMUSP Pain Center, auriculotherapy for insomnia usually shows the first signs of response between the second and third session — the patient reports falling asleep with less effort or that nighttime awakenings have decreased in frequency. With a protocol of eight to twelve sessions, most responders reach a satisfactory plateau and move on to a monthly maintenance regimen. I have routinely combined the auricular technique with systemic acupuncture at points Anmian, HT-7, and SP-6, especially in patients with a prominent anxiety component. When the patient presents with insomnia secondary to a chronic pain syndrome, treating the underlying pain tends to enhance the sleep gains, and vice versa. The profile that responds best, in my observation over decades, is maintenance insomnia in middle-aged adults without untreated severe psychiatric comorbidities — exactly the population that this study, although on a modest scale, appears to represent.
Indexed scientific article
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Scientific Review
Marcus Yu Bin Pai, MD, PhD
CRM-SP: 158074 | RQE: 65523 · 65524 · 655241
PhD in Health Sciences, University of São Paulo. Board-certified in Pain Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Medical Acupuncture. Scientific review and curation of every entry in this library.
Learn more about the author →Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified professional. Some information may be assisted by artificial intelligence and is subject to inaccuracies. Always consult a physician.
Content reviewed by the medical team at CEIMEC — Integrated Centre for Chinese Medicine Studies, a reference in Medical Acupuncture for over 30 years.
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