Parkinson’s disease: Can acupuncture improve sleep?

• A new study examined how acupuncture affects sleep in people with Parkinson’s disease.
• The researchers compared real acupuncture with ‘sham acupuncture,’ where they performed the procedure without sharp tips or otherwise prevented the needles from fully entering the skin.
• At the end of the study, the researchers learned that the patients who received the real acupuncture therapy experienced improved sleep at a higher rate compared to the people who received the placebo therapy.
• The patients who received real acupuncture also experienced an improved quality of life as a result of the improved sleep.

Parkinson’s disease is a type of nervous system disorder that affects movement and can cause cognitive changes. While there is not a cure for the disease, there are some treatments available that can either slow progression or help with symptoms.

One problem many people with Parkinson’s disease face is difficulty with getting quality sleep. Poor sleep can exacerbate symptoms, so researchers based in China recently conducted a study to see whether acupuncture can help improve sleep.

When compared to a placebo form of acupuncture, the study participants saw improvements in both sleep and their quality of life.

The study findings are published in JAMA Network Open.