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Acupuncture and related therapies improve post-stroke insomnia, with combined therapies showing the best outcomes.

This systematic review and network meta-analysis of 107 RCTs (8062 patients) found that acupuncture and related therapies were superior to western medicine and conventional rehabilitation for post-stroke insomnia, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Combined therapy (acupuncture + auriculotherapy + electroacupuncture) had the best overall outcomes, while specific therapies were best for different symptoms (e.g., point embedding for subjective sleep quality, warm acupuncture for daily functional dysfunction).

2 min read•Updated Aug 23, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•View structured evidence →
Evidence Score49/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.

Acupuncture and related therapies improve post-stroke insomnia, with combined therapies showing the best outcomes. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study and 1 meta-analysis. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 49/100 (low).

The Claim

Acupuncture and related therapies improve post-stroke insomnia, with combined therapies showing the best outcomes.

This conclusion is most relevant to: Patients with post-stroke insomnia.

What the Research Shows

The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:

  • ▸Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for post-stroke insomnia: A systematic review and Bayesian network analysis. (Medicine, 2026) —

How It Works

The proposed biological pathway:

  • ▸Acupuncture and related therapies may modulate neurotransmitter levels (e.g., serotonin, melatonin) involved in sleep regulation.
  • ▸They may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with stroke, which can contribute to insomnia.
  • ▸They may improve cerebral blood flow and neural plasticity, aiding in recovery of sleep-wake centers.
  • ▸Result: Improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia symptoms in post-stroke patients.

Who Might Benefit

Evidence fit by population:

  • ▸Patients with post-stroke insomnia

Limitations & Caveats

Important context when interpreting this evidence:

  • ▸The review included studies with varying risk of bias, and the abstract does not report the quality of included studies.
  • ▸The abstract does not provide specific effect sizes or confidence intervals, limiting quantitative interpretation.
  • ▸The heterogeneity of acupuncture techniques and protocols may limit generalizability.
  • ▸The review calls for more standardized clinical trials to confirm findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best acupuncture therapy for post-stroke insomnia?▼

According to this network meta-analysis, the combined therapy of acupuncture + auriculotherapy + electroacupuncture had the best overall outcomes on the PSQI total score. However, different therapies were best for specific symptoms: acupuncture alone, acupuncture + auriculotherapy + point embedding, and acupuncture + western medicine were best for sleep duration and latency; point embedding was best for subjective sleep quality; warm acupuncture was best for daily functional dysfunction.

How many patients were included in this review?▼

The review included 107 randomized controlled trials with a total of 8062 patients with post-stroke insomnia.

Are acupuncture therapies better than conventional treatments for post-stroke insomnia?▼

Yes, the network meta-analysis found that acupuncture-related therapies were superior to western medicine and conventional rehabilitation therapy in improving the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score.

What outcomes were measured in this study?▼

The study measured the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score, sleep duration, sleep latency, subjective sleep quality, daily functional dysfunction, and sleep disorder degree.

References

  1. 1.Tang J, Tan H, Xiao L, Zeng S, Wang S, Liu Q, Xie Y, Jiang J, Xie L, Wu D. “Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for post-stroke insomnia: A systematic review and Bayesian network analysis..” Medicine, 2026. PMID: 42566606 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000050081
Disclaimer: This article is auto-generated from structured research data for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.