Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies for Insomnia: What the Latest Evidence Shows

A recent umbrella review with an evidence‑map, published in 2025, evaluated the efficacy of non‑pharmacological and herbal therapies within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of insomnia in adults. 

The review analysed 36 systematic reviews and meta‑analyses (SR/MAs) investigating various TCM interventions—including acupuncture, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), Chinese exercise therapies (such as qigong), and Chinese herbal medicines (CHM)—for insomnia outcomes. Using the AMSTAR 2 tool for methodological quality and GRADE for certainty of evidence, the authors found that 20 of the SR/MAs achieved high or moderate methodological ratings, while the remainder were rated as low or critically low. 

Key findings include: - Acupuncture, tuina massage, and Chinese exercise therapies showed effects on overall sleep quality and emotional outcomes such as anxiety and depression. Some higher‑quality SR/MAs supported objective sleep parameters (like polysomnography) for acupuncture and tuina, as well as increases in 5‑hydroxytryptamine levels (a serotonin indicator). Several CHM formulas demonstrated beneficial effects on sleep quality, although the evidence for herbs was more variable and methodological concerns remain.

The authors caution that while promising, the evidence base still has limitations: many of the SR/MAs included had inconsistent definitions of insomnia, heterogeneous interventions, and variable quality. Further rigorous randomized controlled trials and standardized reporting are needed to strengthen the evidence. 

For practitioners and wellness professionals, the findings suggest that TCM modalities—particularly acupuncture and tuina, and mind‑body movement therapies—may play a useful adjunct role in insomnia management, especially for patients seeking non‑pharmacological approaches. However, clinicians should apply these interventions alongside standard sleep hygiene practices and evidence‑based treatments, being mindful of individual quality of evidence and patient preferences.

Source: J. Wang et al., “Traditional Chinese medicine therapies for insomnia: an umbrella review and evidence map,” Integrative Medicine Research, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40677296/