The use of acupuncture as a complementary treatment for sleep disorders

The article entitled ‘Acupuncture modulates emotional network resting-state functional connectivity in patients with insomnia disorder: a randomized controlled trial and fMRI study’ explores the effects of acupuncture on resting-state functional connectivity of emotional networks in patients with insomnia disorder.

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that is often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety and depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that sleep disorders and negative emotions are linked to dysregulation of the brain networks involved in emotional processing in patients with insomnia. Acupuncture has been recognised as an effective treatment for improving sleep quality and mood in patients suffering from insomnia. However, the neurobiological mechanisms involved in these effects remain unclear.