Objective To explore the efficacy of auricular plaster therapy with press needles combined with eszopiclone tablets in the treatment of patients with post-stroke insomnia (PSI) and its effect on the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).

Methods A total of 120 PSI patients were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into group A (60 cases) and group B (60 cases). Group A was treated with eszopiclone tablets, while group B was treated with auricular plaster therapy with press needles combined with eszopiclone tablets. Both groups received continuous treatment for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy, sleep status, inflammatory factors, neurotrophic factors, psychological state, quality of life, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups after treatment.

Results After treatment, the total clinical effective rate in the group B was 93.33%, which was higher than 80.00% in the group A (P < 0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, norepinephrine (NE), the scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Self-rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS) in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the above indicators in the group B were lower than those in group A, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), BDNF, and the scores of Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) were higher than those before treatment, and the levels in the group B were higher than those in the group A, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion Auricular plaster therapy with press needles combined with eszopiclone tablets can improve the clinical efficacy, sleep status, and quality of life in PSI patients, reduce the levels of BDNF and IL-1β, alleviate anxiety and depression, and have high safety.