[Effect of acupuncture on blood pressure and sleep quality in patients with stroke-related sleep disorders complicated with hypertension].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on morning blood pressure, sleep quality and post-stroke nerve function recovery in patients with stroke-related sleep disorders (SSD) complicated with hypertension.

Methods: A total of 120 patients were randomized into an observation group (60 cases) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case dropped off). Both groups were treated with acupuncture (Neiguan [PC 6], Shuigou [GV 26], Sanyinjiao [SP 6], Jiquan [HT 1], Chize [LU 5] and Weizhong [BL 40]). In addition, acupuncture was applied in the observation group, deep needling at Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for 5 h. Once a day, 5 times a week, 30 times in total. The morning blood pressure was measured during treatment in the two groups, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores before and after treatment were observed in the two groups.

Results: Compared before treatment, the morning systolic blood pressure (SBP) after treatment were decreased in the two groups (<0.05), and the morning diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after treatment was decreased in the observation group (<0.05). The levels of SBP and DBP after treatment in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the total score of PSQI and NIHSS score after treatment in the observation group were decreased (<0.01, <0.05), which were lower than the control group (<0.01, <0.05), the decreasing rate of NIHSS score in the observation group was higher than the control group (<0.05).

Conclusion: On the basis of acupuncture, acupuncture could improve morning blood pressure and sleep quality for patients with SSD complicated with hypertension, promote the recovery of nerve function.