To study the efficacy and immune mechanism of pivot acupuncture combined with estazolam in the treatment of insomnia.

80 patients diagnosed with insomnia after examination in the Department of Moxibustion of Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were selected, and the enrollment time was within the range from August 2023 to January 2025. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the conventional group (40 cases, estazolam) and the treatment group (40 cases, pivot acupuncture+estazolam). The clinical efficacy was compared, and the changes in sleep structure (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, the percentages of non-rapid eye movement stage 1, 2, and 3 and rapid eye movement stage time in total sleep time), serum neurotransmitter levels (serum γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid), and immune function of the body (serum interleukin-6, interleukin-1 β, tumor necrosis factor α) before and after treatment were also compared.

The treatment group had higher effective rates (90.00% vs. 65.00%) (P<0.01). After treatment in both groups, the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 3 and rapid eye movement stage time to the total sleep time, the contents of serum γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid showed higher values than those before treatment, while scores of TCM syndromes, the levels of non-rapid eye movement stage 1 and 2, serum interleukin-6, interleukin-1 β and tumor necrosis factor α showed lower values (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed higher total sleep time, sleep efficiency, non-rapid eye movement stage 3, the percentage of rapid eye movement stage time to total sleep time, and the contents of serum gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid, while lower scores of TCM syndromes levels of non-rapid eye movement stage 1 and 2, serum interleukin-6, interleukin-1 β, and tumor necrosis factor α (P<0.05).

The therapeutic effect of pivot acupuncture combined with estazolam in the treatment of insomnia is obvious. It is speculated that it may be related to its mechanisms such as improving the sleep structure of patients, regulating the levels of serum neurotransmitters, and enhancing the immune function of the body.