Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in the treatment of menopausal insomnia

Objective:We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of climacteric insomnia compared with western medicine through a comprehensive metaanalysis.Methods:Literature retrieval,research selection and data extraction were done independently and in duplicate.Effect-size estimates are expressed as risk ratio(RR)and 95%confidence interval(CI).Results:Summary data from 27 articles,involving a total of 2349 menopausal women,were meta-analyzed.The overall analysis showed that the clinical cure rate(RR=1.85,95%CI:1.57~2.18,P<0.001)of acupuncture was 1.85 times higher than western medicine,and the markedly effective rate was 1.3 times higher than that of westernmedicine(RR=1.30,95%CI:1.09~1.54,P=0.003).In terms of Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index((PSQI)),simple acupuncture is superior to western medicine in sleep quality,falling asleep time,sleep time,sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction.In the evaluation of adverse reactions,the incidence of adverse events in the acupuncture-related therapy group(3.5%)was lower than that in the western medicine group(12.5%).Conclusion:The results of metaanalysis show that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of climacteric insomnia is better than that of western medicine which has better efficacy and safety.The acupuncture therapy is suitable for clinical.