Jinhuan Yue ¹ Qinhong Zhang ² Guo-qing Zheng ³ Xiaoqing Zhou ⁴ Hao Chi ⁵ Hui-Tzu Yang ⁶ David M. Zheng ⁶ Tiancheng Xu ⁷ Brenda Golianu ^8* Guanhu Yang ^9*

• ¹ Vitality University, Hayward, United States
• ² Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
• ³ Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
• ⁴ Department of Acupuncture, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital (Longgang), Shenzhen, China
• ⁵ Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
• ⁶ Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
• ⁷ Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
• ⁸ Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, United States
• ⁹ Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, United States

Sleep disorders, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and sleep initiation and maintenance disorders (SIMDs), pose critical public health challenges worldwide, significantly affecting individuals' physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being (1). Although pharmacological treatments remain a common therapeutic option, their long-term efficacy is often undermined by adverse effects and low patient adherence (2,3). This has driven growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies (CAT), which provide holistic, non-pharmacological approaches aimed at improving sleep quality while addressing associated comorbidities.CAT encompasses a range of interventions, each employing distinct mechanisms to enhance sleep health. Among them, acupuncture has emerged as a prominent intervention for both primary insomnia and secondary insomnia associated with comorbidities such as hypertension and cancer. In addition to improving sleep quality, acupuncture has demonstrated benefits in regulating blood pressure, enhancing cardiovascular health, and supporting its inclusion in holistic treatment plans.Similarly, exercise-based interventions, especially when integrated with sleep education programs, offer significant benefits for individuals with OSA. Exercise alleviates OSA severity and enhances overall health, making it a viable non-pharmacological alternative to conventional therapies. Chi, and meditation-offer dual benefits by enhancing sleep quality and addressing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. These therapies align with patient-centered care principles, providing a comprehensive approach that addresses both psychological and physiological needs. This makes them particularly effective for individuals sensitive to medication-related side effects. Collectively, CAT presents safer, more personalized alternatives that can bridge critical gaps in conventional treatments, advancing patient care and improving long-term health outcomes. This editorial presents nine recent studies conducted by 81 researchers from five countries, highlighting the translational potential of CAT from research to clinical application. These studies encompass a spectrum of approaches, from acupuncture