Auricular Acupuncture and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment for Insomnia

Auricular acupuncture (AA) group will receive treatment twice a week for four weeks. Each session will take approximately 60 minutes in which there will be active treatment time for 40 minutes. During treatment the respondents will have 5 thin sterile, disposable steel needles superficially placed in each outer ear. Before needle insertion the outer ears will be cleaned with disinfection solution. During treatment the respondents will sit down in silence; with eyes shut and focus on a normal calm breathing. The acupuncturist will not be in the room during treatment. After 40 minutes the respondents remove the needles and put them in a box suited for disposed needles. If needed, assistance to remove needles will be given from the acupuncturist.

"Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group will receive manual based sessions for sleeping disorders. The group meets once a week during six weeks according to following program:~Session 1 - introduction, self-help concept Session 2 - biology of sleep, sleep restriction, Session 3 - stimulus control Session 4 - visualization as relaxation, Session 5 - how to deal with negative and automatic thoughts, Session 6 - how to solve problems, planning for the future"