Table 1 Details of acupuncture treatment based on the revised STRICTA checklist

1. Acupuncture Rationale

1a) Style of acupuncture

EA based on traditional medicine theory

1b) Reasoning for treatment provided, based on historical context, literature sources, and/or consensus methods, with references where appropriate

Textbook on acupuncture and Moxibustion, related literature [10–12, 43], consensus by experts in acupuncture and insomnia

1c) Extent to which treatment was varied

Standardized treatment

2. Details of acupuncture

2a) Number of needle insertions per subject per session

Fixed 10 acupoints

2b) Names of points used

EA treatment group: Unilateral GV20, EX-HN3, bilateral HT7, PC6, BL63, KI4

2c) Depth of insertion

From 5 to 20 mm

2d) Response sought

de qi during needling and perception of stimulus during electrostimulation

2e) Needle stimulation

After manual stimulation, 4 Hz will be conducted and stimulation will be at 80% intensity of the stimulus the participant perceives

2f) Needle retention time

30 min

2 g) Needle type

0.25 × 40 mm sterilized stainless steel needle

3. Treatment regimen

3a) Number of treatment sessions

Total 10 sessions

3b) Frequency and duration of treatment sessions

2–3 sessions per week for 4 weeks

4. Other components of treatment

4a) Details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group

All three groups will be educated through sleep hygiene brochure. Usual care group will be permitted to have any type of treatment

4b) Setting and context of treatment, including instructions to practitioners, and information and explanations to patients

The practitioner will limit unnecessary conversation that does not pertain to the treatment or patient

5. Practitioner background

Description of participating acupuncturists

Korean Medical Doctors who have a license and at least 2 years of clinical experience

6. Control or comparator intervention

6a) Rationale for the control or comparator in the context of the research question, with sources that justify this choice

Park sham placebo device will be used as a sham control [12, 14]

6b) Precise description of the control or comparator.

If sham acupuncture or any other type of acupuncture-like control is used, provide details as for items 1–3 above.

SEA control group: use Park sham placebo device on 10 non-acupoints on both upper and lower limb and connect the electrostimulator in switch-off state for removal after 30 min