The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (6): 1035-1040.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.06.016

• Chronic Disease Control • Previous Articles    

Effects of Congqi Shoushen Tuina method on emotion and sleep quality in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Jing ZHANG1,Liyuan ZHANG1,Yulei RAN1,Weibiao LI2,Xianhui GUO1,2()   

  1. 1.School of Acupuncture?Moxibustion,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450000,Henan,China
    2.Tuina Department,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450000,Henan,China
  • Received:2025-11-12 Revised:2025-12-11 Accepted:2025-12-17 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2026-03-26
  • Contact: Xianhui GUO E-mail:gxhhactcm@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To observe the impact of the Congqi Shoushen Tuina method on the emotional state and sleep quality of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods 80 patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder were randomly allocated into an experimental group and a control group, with 40 patients in each group. The experimental group received treatment using the Congqi Shoushen Tuina method, whereas the control group was treated with conventional Tuina manipulation. Each treatment session lasted approximately 40 minutes, was administered once a day, and was carried out 5 times a week for two consecutive weeks. A comparison was made between the two groups regarding the changes in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores before and after treatment, along with the alterations in the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Additionally, the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups after treatment were also compared. Results After treatment, the HAMA scores and PSQI scores of the two groups of patients decreased (P < 0.05). The experimental group showed better results than the control group (P < 0.05). Specifically, the experimental group was significantly more effective than the control group in improving sleep quality, sleep latency, and daytime dysfunction scores (P < 0.05). After treatment, the serum BDNF and NPY levels in both groups increased (P < 0.05), while the VIP levels decreased (P < 0.05). The degree of improvement in the experimental group was greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The total clinical effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (92.50% vs. 82.50%). No adverse reaction events were observed in either group. Conclusion Congqi Shoushen Tuina method can regulate the levels of serum BDNF, VIP, and NPY factors in patients with GAD, regulate the functional activities of the nervous system, effectively alleviate the patients' anxiety emotions, improve their sleep quality, produce remarkable therapeutic effects, and is safe without any adverse reactions.

Key words: generalized anxiety disorder, Congqi Shoushen Tuina method, sleep quality, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y

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