To summarize the common methods of establishing the animal models of sleep deprivation, investigate their application in the studies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with improving sleep function, and make a theoretical basis for establishment of a novel and more reliable sleep deprivation model from the aspect of TCM.Relevant papers on the establishment and application of sleep deprivation models in the past 15 years were consulted. Then the principles, advantages and disadvantages of the animal models of sleep deprivation were summarizedto provide improving methods. Based on their application in the study of TCM with improving sleep function, the models were compared between various TCM syndromes.The results showed that the main models of sleep deprivation in rodents (rats or mice) included horizontal stand deprivation model, stress deprivation model, forced motion deprivation model, chemical stimulation deprivation modelandgentle stimulation deprivation model, etc. The drosophila models of sleep deprivation mainly included mechanical deprivation model, repeated light stimulation model at night and gene modification method, etc.The animal models of sleep deprivation in TCM mainly included Yin deficiency insomnia model, liver depression insomnia model and heart-kidney incoordination insomnia model etc.The models have their respective advantages and disadvantages, so in the studies of TCM with improving sleep function, the model should be chosen flexibly according to specific conditions. It also needed to be improved in the combination with TCM syndrome patterns. The existing models of sleep deprivation were mostly lacking of accuracy and stability, affecting the reliability of the experiment results. Sleep deprivation model was focusing onthe combination of basic model and TCM syndromes of insomnia. The sleep deprivation models were not widely used in research of TCM, so establishing a sleep deprivation model conforming to the thought of TCM should be the key point in the study of improving sleep by TCM.