Abstract:Objective To evaluate the effect of complying time and trend foot bath based on theory of nutritive Qi and defensive Qi on the state of Zhoubujing and Yebuming in patients with insomnia. Methods Ninty-five patients were divided into three groups according to random number table. The control group had Guizhitang foot bath before bed except Youshi and anytime in the morning except Maoshi. The time group had Guizhitang foot bath at Youshi and Maoshi. The time and prescription group had Guizhitang with Guizhi and Chaihu foot bath at Maoshi and Guizhitang with Baishao, Longgu and Muli at Youshi. All groups had foot bath twice a day. After 4-week intervention, the sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression were evaluated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Results The total scores of PSQI, ESS and HAMA were of significant differences among the three groups (P <0.05). Further comparisons among the three groups showed that the scores of PSQI, ESS and HAMA in the time and prescription group were lower than the scores in the time group, and the scores in the time group were lower than those in the control group with significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusions Complying time and trend foot bath based on theory of nutritive Qi and defensive Qi can effectively improve the state of Zhoubujing and Yebuming in patients with insomnia and is better than usual foot bath.