SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS

Gynecological Disorders

Acupuncture for the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Helms JM.

The effectiveness of acupuncture in managing the pain of primary dysmenorrhea was investigated in a randomized and controlled prospective clinical study. Forty-three women were followed for one year in one of four groups: the Real Acupuncture group was given appropriate acupuncture and the Placebo Acupuncture group was given random point acupuncture on a weekly basis for three menstrual cycles; the Standard Control group was followed without medical or acupuncture intervention; the Visitation Control group had monthly nonacupuncture visits with the project physician for three cycles. In the Real Acupuncture group, 10 of 11 (90.9%) women showed improvement; in the Placebo Acupuncture group, 4 of 11 (36.4%); in the Standard Control group, 2 of 11 (18.2%); and in the Visitation Control group 1 of 10 (10%). There was a 41% reduction of analgesic medication used by the women in the Real Acupuncture group after their treatment series, and no change or increased use of medication seen in the other groups.

Obstet Gynecol 1987 Jan;69(1):51-6

The treatment of dysmenorrhea by acupuncture.

Steinberger A.

Forty-eight female patients suffering from dysmenorrhea in various degrees were treated by acupuncture. Seven standard acupuncture loci were selected. Acupuncture was given only 5 times to 44 of these patients. The results were analyzed after 6 to 12 months. Although the therapy was short, limited to only 7 points and uniform, satisfactory results were found in more than 80% of the cases.

Am J Chin Med 1981 Spring;9(1):57-60

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the relief of primary dysmenorrhea.

Lewers D, Clelland JA, Jackson JR, Varner RE, Bergman J.

The purpose of this study was to replicate a previous study to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Twenty-one women with dysmenorrhea received a placebo pill or 30 minutes of acupuncture-like TENS. All subjects completed two pain questionnaires before treatment; immediately posttreatment; 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes posttreatment; and the next morning upon awakening. Each woman also participated in a separate study measuring electrical resistance at four auricular acupuncture points before and immediately after treatment. The data were analyzed with a two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance, which revealed statistical significance over time but not for group or interaction between group and time. Results revealed an average pain relief of at least 50% immediately posttreatment, indicating that acupuncture-like TENS may be useful for dysmenorrheic pain. This study also suggests that auriculotherapy via acupressure may relieve the pain of primary dysmenorrhea.

Phys Ther 1989 Jan;69(1):3-9

The effect of acupuncture in dysmenorrhea

Tsenov D.

The author assumed the task study the effect of treatment dysmenorrhoea by acupuncture. Object of the study were 48 women in reproductive age divided in 2 groups: 1st group--24 women with primary dysmenorrhoea, 2nd group--24 women with secondary dysmenorrhoea. Acupuncture treatment included acupuncture points: LI4, SP6, 10, S30, 36 CV2, 3, CX5, 6, B20, 23 applied via torment method for 30 min. RESULTS. In the 1st group effect was very well after one course of 2-4 acupuncture procedures before menstruation. In the 2nd group effect was satisfactory in 50% of the cases after two courses acupuncture treatment. In conclusion effect of acupuncture treatment on dysmenorrhoea depend on its kind--primary dysmenorrhoea is influenced very well, while secondary dysmenorrhoea is influenced satisfactory.

Akush Ginekol (Sofiia) 1996;35(3):24-5