Comparative Study of Acupressure and Pharmacological Therapy for Insomnia

Abstract

Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders worldwide, characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, and impaired daytime functioning. Conventional pharmacological therapies, including benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, are widely prescribed and often provide rapid symptomatic relief. However, long-term use is frequently associated with tolerance, dependency, cognitive impairment, residual daytime sedation, and rebound insomnia. These concerns have prompted growing interest in non-pharmacological and complementary interventions such as acupressure. the effectiveness of acupressure and pharmacological therapy in improving sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep latency, and overall well-being among individuals with chronic insomnia. Acupressure, derived from traditional East Asian medicine, involves applying manual pressure to specific acupoints believed to regulate physiological balance and promote relaxation. From a biomedical perspective, it may influence autonomic nervous system activity, enhance melatonin secretion, reduce stress hormones, and stimulate endogenous relaxation responses.