Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at ＂five spirits acupoints＂ in treatment of insomnia. Methods The insomnia patients conforming to the diagnostic criteria were included into the study of ＂five spirits acupoints＂, and statistical analysis was conducted over the 65 patients who completed the courses of treatment. Shéntíng（神庭 GV 24）, Běnshén（本神 GB 13）, Sìshéncōng（四神聪 EX-HN 1）, Shéndào（神道 GV 11） and Shénmén（神门 HT 7） were selected. Manipulation： perpendicular insertion was conducted at GV 11 and HT 7, and transverse insertion was conducted at GV 24, GB 13 and EX-HN 1, with the acupuncture depth of 10–15 mm. Even reinforcing and reducing method was applied. Needles were retained at all the selected acupoints, except GV 11, for 25 min. The treatment was conducted every other day, and treatment for 10 times was considered as one course of treatment. After one course, the changes of PSQI, the time to fall asleep, sleep time and soporific dosage were observed before and after treatment. Results According to the comparison before and after treatment, the mean deviation of PSQI, the time to fall asleep, sleep time and soporific dosage were 10.02±1.75,（0.7±0.5） h,（2.1±1.5） h and（10.3±2.5） mg, respectively, all P〈0.05, and the differences were all significant. Conclusion Acupuncture at ＂five spirits acupoints＂ in treatment of insomnia can improve patients’ sleep quality, shorten the time to fall asleep, prolong the actual sleep time, and reduce soporific dosage. With few acupoints selected, superficial needling and small stimulation, acupuncture at ＂five spirits acupoints＂ has better efficacy and is easy to be accepted by patients.
