Evaluation of Sleep Quality of Insomniacs by using Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae

• Main Authors: Chao-chin Yang, 楊朝欽
• Other Authors: Zer-ran Yu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/31107503992520637975

碩士 === 南華大學 === 自然醫學研究所 === 94 === 　　This study is intended to assess the purpose of employing Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae, two kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), to improve the sleep quality of insomniac. For the purpose of conducting this assessment, 16 patients ( 2 males and 14 females, average age of 50.3 ± 13.4 ) diagnosed by a TCM doctor as yin-xu (passive-weak) insomnia were prescribed of concentrated granules of Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae,（2 grams each） to be taken orally at 8 p.m. every night for a period of four weeks. The heart rate variabilities (HRV) of patients were measured five times each, prior and posterior to taking the granules. In the meantime, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) would be employed and assessed by the patients themselves and their sleep quality would be further assessed by the TCM doctor. As the results, indicate the PSQI felt from prior 13.3 ± 3.1 points to posterior 8.4 ± 4.9 points (p＜0.05); and the TCM doctor assessment also declined from prior 12.6 ± 5.4 points to posterior 2.2 ± 3.7 points (p＜0.05). These results clearly indicate that Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae are helpful to improve the sleep quality of yin-xu insomniacs. Since no any critical variances were observed with the HRV measurement, Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae did not appear to impose any significant effects on the patients'' cardio-autonomic nervous system in the prescribed duration. It is concluded that Semen Zizyphi Spinosae and Semen Biotae can be employed as a choice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve the symptoms of insomnia.