Presentation summary

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in prison, affecting 88.2% of inmates (1), compared to 30% in the general population (2). This can be attributed to incarceration-related stress, social isolation, poor detention conditions, and past trauma or substance abuse. Conventional treatments, especially sleeping pills, often show limited efficacy and present risks of dependence and side effects.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a complementary approach based on identifying energetic imbalances through pulse and tongue examination. However, this method remains underexplored incorrectional settings.

This pilot study was conducted at the Caen-Ifs Penitentiary Center with 30 adult inmates suffering from sleep disorders. Two consultations, spaced one month apart, collected sociodemographic data, PSQI and Hamilton scores, and TCM diagnoses. Statistical analysis assessed the evolution of scores and the stability of TCM diagnoses over time.

Results showed a high prevalence of addiction (83% tobacco, 43% cannabis) and use of sleeping pills (70%).The average PSQI score decreased significantly after one month (from 12.1 to 10.54), while depression scores remained stable. TCM diagnoses revealed 46.7% Excess, 36.7% Deficiency, and 16.7% Excess-Heat syndromes. Diagnoses remained stable in 77.8% of cases. No significant links were found with addictions or treatments, but athletic inmates showed a trend toward more stable diagnoses.

This pilot study confirms the extent of sleep disorders in prison settings and provides insight into the main syndromic diagnoses according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In a future study, it would be relevant to propose and test the effectiveness of an acupuncture point protocol tailored to each energetic imbalance.