Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a challenging neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is primarily known for its motor symptoms, such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. However, many people with PD also suffer from many non-motor symptoms, including sleep disturbances, which can severely impact the quality of life.
Sleep problems in Parkinson’s patients are particularly troubling. Poor sleep not only exacerbates other symptoms but also accelerates the overall progression of the disease. Traditional treatments, including medications, often fall short in providing adequate relief and can come with a range of unwanted side effects like drowsiness and confusion during the day.
Throughout my years of acupuncture practice I have helped many patients with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life and overall function. Recent clinical research shows acupuncture’s benefits for Parkinson’s patients, particularly in improving sleep quality as well as reducing motor symptoms. (1)
In this blog, we’ll delve into the findings of this groundbreaking study and discuss what they mean for Parkinson’s patients seeking better sleep and overall well-being. We’ll also explore the mechanisms through which acupuncture may exert its beneficial effects, offering a holistic perspective on managing Parkinson’s Disease.
Table of Contents
Clinical Research Shows Acupuncture Helps Parkinson’s Disease
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments by promoting balance, increasing circulation, and stimulating the nervous system to heal the body. This clinical trial involved a group of 83 patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving real acupuncture (RA) and the other receiving sham acupuncture (SA). The RA group underwent traditional acupuncture treatments, where needles were inserted into specific acupoints believed to influence sleep and motor function.
The SA group, on the other hand, received treatments that mimicked the acupuncture process but without the therapeutic needle insertion, serving as a control to measure the placebo effect.
Both groups received treatments three times a week for four weeks. Neither the participants nor the researchers analyzing the results knew who received real or sham acupuncture, thus minimizing bias and enhancing the reliability of the findings.
Acupuncture Point Selection:
The study utilized specific acupuncture points traditionally believed to influence sleep and motor function. The selected acupoints included:
- Si Shenzhen
- ShenTing (GV24)
- YinTang (GV29)
- HeGu (LI4)
- TaiChong (LR3)
- SanYinJiao (SP6)
- ShenMen (HT7)
- ZuSanLi (ST36)
- ShenMai (BL62)
- ZhaoHai (KI6)
These acupoints were chosen based on their historical use in improving sleep quality, reducing anxiety, and enhancing motor function.
Benefits for Parkinson’s Disease in Sleep and Motor Function
The results of this clinical trial underscore the significant benefits of acupuncture as a therapy for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, particularly in improving sleep quality and motor function.
Improvement in Sleep Quality:
One of the most noteworthy findings from this study is the substantial improvement in sleep quality among patients receiving real acupuncture. Sleep disturbances are a common and debilitating non-motor symptom of PD, often exacerbating other symptoms and accelerating disease progression. The Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) scores significantly increased in the real acupuncture group by an average of 29.65 points from baseline to post-treatment, and these improvements were sustained at the 8-week follow-up, with a mean increase of 25.35 points compared to baseline. These improvements indicate that acupuncture not only has a positive short-term impact on sleep quality but also offers sustained benefits.
It is not known exactly how acupuncture helps sleep in Parkinsons diseases. One of the main ways may be through modulating neurotransmitter levels, such as increasing the release of serotonin and melatonin, which are crucial for regulating sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, acupuncture’s ability to balance the autonomic nervous system likely contributes to more restful and uninterrupted sleep. We say that acupuncture helps to treat the root cause of a condition, stimulating healing process and leading to long term improvement which was shown at the 8 week follow up.
Enhancement of Motor Function:
The study also highlights significant improvements in motor function among PD patients treated with acupuncture. The Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores for the real acupuncture group showed a marked decrease, with a mean reduction of 14.53 points post-treatment and 14.28 points at the 8-week follow-up. Similarly, the UPDRS-III scores, which specifically measure motor function, improved by an average of 6.88 points post-treatment and 6.38 points at follow-up.
Acupuncture’s impact on motor function can be attributed to several physiological mechanisms. By modulating neurotransmitter levels, particularly dopamine, acupuncture may help restore some of the neurochemical balance disrupted in PD. Furthermore, acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects and enhancement of cerebral blood flow and oxygenation support neural health and function, potentially slowing the neurodegenerative processes of PD. Additionally, acupuncture may help regulate the activities of mast cells which may contribute to Parkinson’s disease progression. (2)
Holistic Benefits and Patient Well-Being:
Beyond the specific improvements in sleep and motor function, acupuncture offers a holistic benefit to patient well-being. The reduction in anxiety levels, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the overall improvement in quality of life, as indicated by the 39-item Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), suggest that acupuncture addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of PD. The calming effect of acupuncture, facilitated by the release of endorphins and the activation of the body’s natural relaxation response, can significantly enhance patients’ mental health and their ability to cope with the disease.
Holistic Help for Parkinson’s Patients
As an acupuncturist with a deep commitment to holistic health, I have long witnessed the transformative effects that acupuncture can bring to my patients. The findings of this study resonate profoundly with my experiences in practice, particularly regarding the management of Parkinson’s Disease. Seeing firsthand how acupuncture can provide comprehensive support for patients reaffirms the value of integrating traditional healing practices with modern medical treatments.
Acupuncture offers a holistic approach that addresses the interconnected aspects of physical, emotional, and mental health. Many of my Parkinson’s Disease patients struggle with sleep disturbances, which significantly affect their quality of life. Acupuncture’s ability to enhance sleep quality, as demonstrated in this study, is one of its most valuable benefits. By targeting specific acupoints, acupuncture can help regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycles, reduce anxiety, and promote deeper, more restorative sleep. This improvement in sleep not only helps patients feel more rested but also contributes to better management of other PD symptoms.
This study also showed that acupuncture helps to improve motor symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. From my perspective, the integration of acupuncture into the treatment plans for PD patients represents a significant advancement in holistic care. It allows us to address the multifaceted nature of the disease more effectively. Acupuncture can be used with medication and therapy to improve overall quality of life.
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References:
- Yan M, Fan J, Liu X, et al. Acupuncture and Sleep Quality Among Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17862.
- Oh JY, Bae SJ, Ji JY, et al. Peripheral mast cells derive the effects of acupuncture in Parkinson’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1376756. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1376756.
