ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of a combined treatment approach involving specialized head scraping (Guasha) in conjunction with Kaitianmen to manage insomnia. Methods: We conducted a study involving 90 individuals with insomnia who received treatment at our hospital between March 2022 and March 2023. These participants were selected and randomly assigned to either a research group (n = 45) or a control group (n = 45). The control group received oral Diazepam (DZ), while the research group underwent specialized head scraping and Kaitianmen therapy. Comparative assessments were made between the two groups, considering clinical efficacy, pre-and post-treatment Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptom scores, as well as evaluations of sleep quality and negative emotions (NEs) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Self-rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS), respectively. Additionally, a treatment satisfaction survey was administered at discharge. Results: The research group exhibited a significantly higher overall response rate compared to the control group (P < .05). Both groups displayed substantial reductions in TCM symptom scores, PSQI scores, and SAS/SDS scores following treatment, with the research group achieving even lower scores (P < .05). The treatment satisfaction survey indicated a greater degree of satisfaction among participants in the research group compared to the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: The combination of specialized head scraping and Kaitianmen therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of insomnia and offers a valid means of alleviating patients' negative emotions. These findings suggest promising prospects for clinical applications.