Influence of Acupuncture on Emotional Measures and Quality of Sleep Among Schizophrenia Patients

HaEmek Medical Center, Israel

Status: Completed

Conditions: Schizophrenia; Schizoaffective

Treatments: Device: acupuncture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00780884

0015-08

Details and patient eligibility

About

Insomnia, a common feature of schizophrenia, has serious consequences for daytime functioning and quality of life. Although insomnia is most often treated with medication, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the efficiency of a variety of relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapies and alternative medicine procedures. Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. Part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture aims to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points on the body. Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture has a positive influence on a number of diseases and disorders, among them Depression, Chronic Pain and Sleep Disorders. Hence, the aim of the present study is to examine the effects of acupuncture as a treatment for insomnia in schizophrenic patients.The study begins with a 7-day, running-in, no-treatment period, followes by an 8-week experimental period. During the experimental period, subjects receive acupuncture treatments twice a week. During the first week of the study (no-treatment period) and the last week of the experimental period, subjects' sleep is monitored with a wrist actigraph, and subjects complete a wide spectrum of questionnaires.

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder - diagnosed according DSM-4.
2. capability to sign inform consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. unstable physical illness
2. drug or alchohol abuse or dependence

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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21 participants in 1 patient group

acupuncture needles

Experimental group

Description:

Acupuncture needles named acuzone needles. The acuzone needles are sterile and single use, manufactured by DONG BANG MEDICAL CO.,LTD.

Treatment:

Device: acupuncture