Acupuncture for dysmenorrhea of adenomyosis: A randomized controlled trial 针刺治疗子宫腺肌病痛经:随机对照试验

Objective: To compare the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea in the patients with adenomyosis between acupuncture and ibuprofen sustained release capsules. Methods: A total of 40 patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and an ibuprofen group, 20 cases in each one. The treatment was given consecutively for 3 menstrual cycles and the follow-up lasted for 2 menstrual cycles. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS) at the most painful time during menstruation, menstrual flow, the score of COX menstrual symptom scale (CMSS) and the score of endometriosis health profile-5 (EHP-5), as well as the patients’ satisfaction and acceptance were compared between the two groups. Results: Three menstrual cycles after treatment, the VAS score at the most painful time, menstrual flow, CMSS score and EHP-5 score were all lower than those before treatment in either group, with statistical significance (all P 0.05), the menstrual flow was lower (P > 0.05), CMSS score was higher (P 0.05). The score of the patients’ satisfaction and acceptance in the acupuncture group were all higher than the ibuprofen group (both P Conclusion: Acupuncture is effective for analgesia and symptom-relief and the long-term effect is superior to the oral administration of ibuprofen.