Chronic Disease Control

Clinical research progress in stellate ganglion block for insomnia treatment

  • Shuzhen LIU ,
  • Chaoli WANG ,
  • Meiheng HE ,
  • Lan ZHAO
Expand
  • 1.First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Tianjin 300381,Tianjin,China
    2.National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine,Tianjin 300381,Tianjin,China

Received date: 2025-10-15

  Online published: 2026-02-25

Abstract

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a neuromodulation technique that temporarily blocks sympathetic nerve conduction in the cervical-thoracic region using local anesthetic drugs. In recent years, this technique has garnered significant attention in the field of insomnia treatment and has demonstrated notable clinical efficacy. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder closely related to overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, often manifested by core symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, sleep maintenance disorders, early awakening, and fatigue after awakening. SGB precisely suppresses abnormally heightened sympathetic nervous system excitability, exerting synergistic effects through multiple pathways including regulating neurotransmitter balance, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and modulating neuroendocrine functions. This restores normal sleep architecture and comprehensively enhances sleep quality. Additionally, this therapy helps patients gradually reduce their dependence on sedative medications such as benzodiazepines, thereby lowering the risks of tolerance and adverse reactions associated with long-term medication use. This review systematically summarizes the current clinical application of SGB in primary and secondary insomnia, deeply analyzes its mechanisms of action, and evaluates its safety, providing references for further refining individualized treatment plans, exploring mechanism targets, and promoting standardized clinical application.

Cite this article

Shuzhen LIU , Chaoli WANG , Meiheng HE , Lan ZHAO . Clinical research progress in stellate ganglion block for insomnia treatment[J]. The Journal of Practical Medicine, 2026 , 42(4) : 551 -558 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.04.002

References

[1] SATEIA M J. International classification of sleep disorders-third edition: Highlights and modifications[J]. Chest, 2014, 146(5): 1387-1394. doi:10.1378/chest.14-0970 .
[2] REGIER D A, KUHL E A, KUPFER D J. The DSM-5: Classification and criteria changes[J]. World Psychiatry, 2013, 12(2): 92-98. doi:10.1002/wps.20050 .
[3] VAN STRATEN A, WEINREICH K J, FáBIáN B, et al. The prevalence of insomnia disorder in the general population: A meta-analysis[J]. J Sleep Res, 2025, 34(5): e70089. doi:10.1111/jsr.70089 .
[4] GREENLUND I M, CARTER J R. Sympathetic neural responses to sleep disorders and insufficiencies[J]. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 2022, 322(3): H337-H349. doi:10.1152/ajpheart. 00590.2021 .
[5] 薛茹月, 李悦娴, 孙德峰. 星状神经节阻滞改善术后认知功能障碍研究进展[J]. 实用医学杂志, 2024, 40(11): 1500-1504. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2024.11.006 .
[6] SUTTON E L. Insomnia[J]. Ann Intern Med, 2021, 174(3): ITC33-ITC48. doi:10.7326/aitc202103160 .
[7] 李亚峰, 张桦, 李晴, 等. 星状神经节阻滞治疗新型冠状病毒感染后失眠和原发性失眠的疗效[J]. 江苏医药, 2025, 51(1): 29-32. doi:10.19460/j.cnki.0253-3685.2025.01.008 .
[8] 李延红, 李香, 陈文武. 星状神经节阻滞对失眠患者血浆5-HTNE及SOD的影响[J]. 中国实用神经疾病杂志, 2013, 16(24): 63-64.
[9] 邹金木, 崔晓, 杨华凌, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对原发性睡眠障碍患者夜间睡眠质量的影响[J]. 世界睡眠医学杂志, 2021, 8(12): 2087-2089. doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1416. 2020. 01.018 .
[10] 黄梓琪, 范晓敏, 刘芳, 等. 星状神经节阻滞联合右美托咪定经鼻喷雾治疗对失眠患者的疗效[J]. 实用医学杂志, 2025, 41(3): 391-395. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.03.013 .
[11] 林松波, 庄少川, 黄旭丽, 等. 星状神经节阻滞联合小剂量阿米替林治疗失眠的研究[J]. 中国现代药物应用, 2018, 12(24): 121-122. doi:10.14164/j.cnki.cn11-5581/r.2018.24.071 .
[12] 费海涛, 周脉涛, 王淑芬, 等. 超声下星状神经节阻滞对原发性顽固失眠症的改善效果[J]. 世界最新医学信息文摘(连续型电子期刊), 2016, 16(A5): 48. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1671-3141.2016.105.026 .
[13] BAYLAN S, GRIFFITHS S, GRANT N, et al. Incidence and prevalence of post-stroke insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Sleep Med Rev, 2020, 49: 101222. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101222 .
[14] 李婧静, 李飞翔, 闻君, 等. 星状神经节阻滞治疗脑卒中后失眠的临床效果[J]. 河南医学研究, 2020, 29(4): 602-604. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2020.04.009 .
[15] 章志梁, 杨伟华. 星状神经节联合重复经颅磁刺激对卒中后失眠患者的疗效[J]. 河南医学研究, 2022, 31(13): 2397-2401. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2022.13.024 .
[16] 李舟, 朱晓波, 胡淑丽, 等. 星状神经节阻滞联合舍曲林治疗卒中后抑郁及失眠的效果[J]. 河南医学研究, 2023, 32(24): 4507-4510. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2023.24.023 .
[17] 朱永梅. 星状神经节阻滞联合阿普唑仑治疗卒中后睡眠障碍患者的疗效分析[J]. 临床研究, 2021, 29(4): 25-27.
[18] RUAN X, CUI Y, DU J, et al. Prevalence of climacteric symptoms comparing perimenopausal and postmenopausal Chinese women[J]. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol, 2017, 38(3): 161-169. doi:10.1080/0167482X.2016.1244181 .
[19] CHEN H, WU S, CHEN H, et al. Efficacy and safety of hormone replacement combined with escitalopram in the treatment of chronic insomnia in perimenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial[J]. CNS Neurosci Ther, 2025, 31(6): e70470. doi:10.1111/cns.70470 .
[20] LI Y, CHANG J, SHI G, et al. Effects of stellate ganglion block on perimenopausal hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Front Endocrinol, 2023, 14: 1293358. doi:10.3389/fendo. 2023.1293358 .
[21] 李铁安, 张钰. 星状神经节阻滞联合坤泰胶囊治疗围绝经期睡眠障碍伴焦虑状态的临床研究[J]. 中国妇幼保健, 2022, 37(19): 3656-3659. doi:10.19829/j.zgfybj.issn.1001-4411.2022.19.045 .
[22] VAN GASTEL P, KALLEWAARD J W, VAN DER ZANDEN M, et al. Stellate-ganglion block as a treatment for severe postmenopausal flushing[J]. Climacteric, 2013, 16(1): 41-47. doi:10.3109/13697137.2012.709889 .
[23] 万仑, 宗楚君, 詹育成, 等. 超声引导下星状神经节阻滞联合激素补充治疗围绝经期失眠症的疗效研究[J]. 中国临床新医学, 2025, 18(5): 496-501. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-3806.2025.05.06 .
[24] MAO J J, PILLAI G G, ANDRADE C J, et al. Integrative oncology: Addressing the global challenges of cancer prevention and treatment[J]. CA Cancer J Clin, 2022, 72(2): 144-164. doi:10.3322/caac.21706 .
[25] 古翠方, 翟明见, 吕爱俊, 等. 超声引导下的星状神经节阻滞可改善老年肺癌患者胸腔镜术后早期睡眠: 86例前瞻性随机对照试验[J]. 南方医科大学学报, 2022, 42(12): 1807-1814. doi:10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.12.08 .
[26] 姬文慧, 薛鹏举. 超声引导下SGB复合全凭静脉麻醉对肺癌根治术后患者认知功能及早期睡眠的影响[J]. 黑龙江医药科学, 2025, 48(1): 193-195. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1008-0104.2025.01.064 .
[27] WU C N, WU X H, YU D N, et al. A single-dose of stellate ganglion block for the prevention of postoperative dysrhythmias in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for cancer: A randomised controlled double-blind trial[J]. Eur J Anaesthesiol, 2020, 37(4): 323-331. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000001137 .
[28] 李登峰, 刘亚军, 田芳, 等. 超声引导下星状神经节+竖脊肌阻滞对老年肺癌患者术后POD和免疫应激反应的影响[J]. 医学理论与实践, 2022, 35(2): 264-266. doi:10.19381/j.issn. 1001-7585.2022.02.035 .
[29] YANG X, WU Q, WANG H, et al. Effects of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled clinical trial[J]. J Healthc Eng, 2022, 2022: 7628183. doi:10.1155/2022/7628183 .
[30] YANG R Z, LI Y Z, LIANG M, et al. Stellate ganglion block improves postoperative sleep quality and analgesia in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Pain Ther, 2023, 12(2): 491-503. doi:10.1007/s40122-022-00473-y .
[31] 吴尚, 史宏伟, 鲍红光, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对乳腺癌患者术后乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿的影响[J]. 临床麻醉学杂志, 2025, 41(2): 125-129. doi:10.12089/jca.2025.02.003 .
[32] 刘慧芳, 都义日, 高丽. 星状神经节阻滞对乳腺癌根治患者术后睡眠障碍的影响[J]. 内蒙古医科大学学报, 2025, 47(3): 256-259. doi:10.16343/j.cnki.issn.2095-512x.2025.03.004 .
[33] 史婧弘, 朱娜, 王顺, 等. 超声引导下星状神经节阻滞联合前锯肌平面阻滞对乳腺癌根治术患者术后急性疼痛及睡眠时间的影响[J]. 现代生物医学进展, 2024, 24(19): 3657-3660. doi:10.13241/j.cnki.pmb.2024.19.013 .
[34] GENG J, WANG J, ZHANG Y, et al. The effect of a combined modified pectoral and stellate ganglion block on stress and inflammatory response in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy[J]. Int J Breast Cancer, 2022, 2022: 3359130. doi:10.1155/2022/3359130 .
[35] LIU T, ZHANG J, LIANG J, et al. Effect of stellate ganglion block on preventing atrial fibrillation after esophagectomy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial[J]. Drug Des Devel Ther, 2025, 19: 7481-7492. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S538004 .
[36] YAN S, WANG Y, YU L, et al. Stellate ganglion block alleviates postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies[J]. J Clin Sleep Med, 2023, 19(9): 1633-1642. doi:10.5664/jcsm.10632 .
[37] 高微, 盖成林, 史佳册, 等. 超声引导下星状神经节阻滞应用于焦虑性失眠患者的效果分析[J]. 大医生, 2025, 10(14): 48-50. doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-2665.2025.14.016 .
[38] 卫琰, 刘庆, 朱震宏, 等. 乌灵胶囊联合星状神经节阻滞治疗焦虑性失眠疗效观察[J]. 海南医学, 2022, 33(6): 732-735. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1003-6350.2022.06.015 .
[39] LIU N, MA Q, ZHOU M, et al. Efficacy and exploratory analysis of potential mechanisms of stellate ganglion block in alleviating sleep disturbance in generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial excluding comorbid depression[J]. Front Neurol, 2025, 16: 1554841. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1554841 .
[40] 王震, 杜晓燕, 杨扬. 超声引导下星状神经节阻滞联合生物反馈对中度焦虑患者的效果[J]. 国际精神病学杂志, 2023, 50(2): 265-267, 271. doi:10.13479/j.cnki.jip.2023.02.017 .
[41] 王淑芬, 周脉涛, 费海涛. 曲唑酮联合星状神经节阻滞治疗抑郁症伴失眠的效果观察[J]. 现代中西医结合杂志, 2019, 28(27): 3011-3014. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1008-8849.2019.27.011 .
[42] 党庆宏, 何瑞红, 韩建新, 等. 超声引导下罗哌卡因星状神经节阻滞治疗产后抑郁的研究[J]. 湖南师范大学学报(医学版), 2021, 18(6): 174-176. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-016X. 2021.06.051 .
[43] LI Z, WANG L, CONG P, et al. Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block with cervicotemporal myofascial trigger point acupuncture for insomnia with comorbid anxiety and depression: A retrospective observational study[J]. Nat Sci Sleep, 2025, 17: 2131-2143. doi:10.2147/NSS.S551748 .
[44] BUTRIS N, TANG E, PIVETTA B, et al. The prevalence and risk factors of sleep disturbances in surgical patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Sleep Med Rev, 2023, 69: 101786. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101786 .
[45] LIU Y, PIAO G, CHEN J, et al. Effect of right stellate ganglion block on preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynecological laparoscopic patients: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Adv Ther, 2025, 42(3): 1537-1549. doi:10.1007/s12325-025-03109-7 .
[46] 唐玉洁, 黄洁, 刘珏, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对老年女性患者术后神经认知功能障碍防治作用: 一项前瞻性、随机对照研究[J]. 中国医学工程, 2025, 33(7): 27-31. doi:10.19338/j.issn.1672-2019.2025.07.007 .
[47] 于婷, 散小虎, 刘海英, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对腹腔镜下全子宫切除患者术后胃肠功能恢复的影响[J]. 江苏医药, 2023, 49(3): 284-287. doi:10.19460/j.cnki.0253-3685.2023.03.016 .
[48] 葛晓燕, 王峰, 王朋, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对腹腔镜全子宫切除术患者术后睡眠质量和恶心呕吐的影响[J]. 临床麻醉学杂志, 2023, 39(3): 241-245. doi:10.12089/jca.2023.03.003 .
[49] 郝秀秀, 彭伟, 宋凯, 等. 超声引导星状神经节阻滞对腰椎手术后咽喉痛和睡眠障碍的影响[J]. 颈腰痛杂志, 2025, 46(3): 399-403. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1005-7234.2025.03.001 .
[50] LUO D, SU Y, PANG Y. Effects of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block on postoperative sore throat and postoperative sleep disturbance after lumbar spine surgery: A randomized controlled trial[J]. BMC Anesthesiol, 2023, 23(1): 343. doi:10.1186/s12871-023-02301-y .
[51] 庄伟强, 张亮, 吴竑鹏, 等. 分析星状神经节阻滞对老年髋关节置换术患者术后睡眠及谵妄的影响[J]. 世界睡眠医学杂志, 2024, 11(1): 95-98. doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-7130. 2024. 01.026 .
[52] 陈光洪, 李俊青, 赵圆圆, 等. 超声引导星状神经节阻滞对膝关节置换术止血带反应的影响[J]. 蚌埠医学院学报, 2021, 46(1): 54-57. doi:10.13898/j.cnki.issn.1000-2200.2021.01.015 .
[53] 余前华, 邱卫东, 马君武, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对三叉神经痛脑微血管减压术患者炎性反应的影响[J]. 卒中与神经疾病, 2019, 26(3): 317-319, 323. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-0478. 2019.03.014 .
[54] 贺晨晨, 散小虎, 刘海英, 等. 星状神经节阻滞对鼻内窥镜手术患者术后睡眠障碍的影响[J]. 江苏医药, 2024, 50(8): 799-802, 806. doi:10.19460/j.cnki.0253-3685.2024.08.011 .
[55] 葛震坤, 伍启星, 吴文杰, 等. 超声引导下星状神经节阻滞对活体供肾者术后疲劳综合征的影响[J]. 临床麻醉学杂志, 2025, 41(7): 685-690. doi:10.12089/jca.2025.07.002 .
[56] 汪大彬, 阎文军, 王玲凯, 等. 超声引导下右侧星状神经节阻滞对初产妇剖宫产术后睡眠质量和产后抑郁的影响[J]. 卫生职业教育, 2023, 41(4): 147-150. doi:10.20037/j.issn.1671-1246.2023.04.43 .
[57] 郑洁, 胡滨, 汪信, 等. 基于保留自主呼吸下LMA-Fastrach喉罩联合椎旁神经、星状神经节阻滞在胸腔镜手术中的应用[J]. 蚌埠医学院学报, 2021, 46(4): 451-454, 458. doi:10.13898/j.cnki.issn.1000-2200.2021.04.008 .
[58] 王立功, 郑敏, 张继青. 超声引导星状神经节阻滞联合吴茱萸穴位贴对老年患者术后睡眠质量的影响[J]. 世界睡眠医学杂志, 2025, 12(2): 345-347, 351. doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-7130.2025.02.029 .
[59] 魏玮, 王可佳, 郑俊奕, 等. 星状神经节阻滞联合耳穴贴压对髋关节置换术患者术后睡眠障碍的影响[J]. 华中科技大学学报(医学版), 2022, 51(4): 520-525. doi:10.3870/j.issn.1672-0741.2022.04.013 .
[60] 高志方, 李岩. 星状神经节阻滞联合中药穴位贴敷对腰椎术后睡眠障碍的影响[J]. 实用药物与临床, 2024, 27(11): 833-836. doi:10.14053/j.cnki.ppcr.202411006 .
[61] LIU D, LING Y, SONG N, et al. A study on the synergistic effects of hip capsule nerve and stellate ganglion block on postoperative rehabilitation outcomes in elderly patients following total hip arthroplasty[J]. Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil, 2025, 16: 21514593251361461. doi:10.1177/21514593251361461 .
[62] LUKA?I?INOVá A, FIALOVá D, PEEL N M, et al. The prevalence and prescribing patterns of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in older nursing home residents in different European countries and Israel: Retrospective results from the EU SHELTER study[J]. BMC Geriatr, 2021, 21(1): 277. doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02213-x .
[63] ZHANG L, LAN M, CHEN H, et al. Activation of the melatonin receptor MT(1) by the natural product gastrodin to promote sleep[J]. J Pineal Res, 2024, 76(8): e70016. doi:10.1111/jpi. 70016 .
[64] SIU P M, YU D J, YU A P, et al. Tai Chi or cognitive behavioural therapy for treating insomnia in middle aged and older adults: Randomised non-inferiority trial[J]. BMJ, 2025, 391: e084320. doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-084320 .
Outlines

/