A large randomised controlled trial on acupuncture for insomnia has concluded it is effective and safe. Researchers in Hong Kong allocated 224 subjects to receive either acupuncture alone, acupuncture plus ear acupressure, or a waiting list control. There was no significant difference between acupuncture and the combination treatment. However, both were significantly better than the waiting list at reducing insomnia, with a moderate to large effect size, and at reducing anxiety, depression and fatigue. Improvements were maintained at 13 weeks after treatment.
(Acupuncture with or without combined auricular acupuncture for insomnia: a randomised, waitlist-controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine, 11 December 2017.)