Objective To select the optimum protocol among body

auricular and abdominal needling methods through therapeutic effects by treating insomnia. Methods The study was designed by orthogonal method with 3 factors（ 3 needling methods） and 3 levels within each of the factor. 27 female patients of insomnia diagnosed as internal harassment of phlegm-heat syndrome through TCM syndrome differentiation accepted 20 times（ 2 courses） treatment. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by Pittsburgh sleep quality index（ PSQI）

Hamilton Depression Scale（ HAMD） scores and Hamilton Anxiety Scale（ HAMA） scores before treatment and at 1 circle

2 circles and 1 month after treatment. Results Along with the treating time increasing

body and auricular needling had better long-term effect

while abdominal needling had short-term effect. The HAMD score took a successive increase when it comes to body-acupuncture; a decrease followed by increase to ear-acupuncture; and a slight decrease to abdomen-acupuncture. And the body and ear acupuncture induced a longer post-treatment efficacy. When evaluated by HAMA

the body acupuncture exhibited an increase-then decrease fluctuation; the ear-acupuncture a slight increase trend; and abdomen-acupuncture a noteworthy decrease. The longer post-treatment still could be observed for this score. PSQI decreased in a most significant way when treated by administering routine body- or ear-acupuncture points

or routine abdomen-acupuncture + the points determined by syndrome differentiation. HAMD decreased in a most significant way when treated by administering on routine body-acupuncture points

routine ear-acupuncture points + the points determined by syndrome differentiation

or routine abdomen-acupuncture + the points determined by syndrome differentiation. HAMA decreased in a most significant way when treated by administering on no body-acupuncture points

routine ear-acupuncture points

or routine abdomen-acupuncture + the points determined by syndrome differentiation.Conclusion The recommended protocol: abdominal needling method（ fixed acupoint protocol + acupoints based on pattern differentiation） combined with body needling method（ regular acupoints） and / or auricular needling method（ acupoints based on both western and TCM medicine theory）.