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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).

Last updated: Aug 23, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score49/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for post-stroke insomnia: A systematic review and Bayesian network analysis.

observational

Tang J, Tan H, Xiao L, Zeng S, Wang S, Liu Q, Xie Y, Jiang J, Xie L, Wu D · Medicine (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Acupuncture and related therapies (14 types, including acupuncture alone, electroacupuncture, auriculotherapy, point embedding, warm acupuncture, and combinations with western medicine)
Outcome: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score, sleep duration, sleep latency, subjective sleep quality, daily functional dysfunction, sleep disorder degree
Effect Size: N/A (network meta-analysis, no specific effect sizes reported in abstract)
Population: Patients with post-stroke insomnia

Result:

PubMed: 42566606DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000050081

Mechanism Graph

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

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

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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 content is 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.