Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea constitutes one of the most frequent disorders in women of a fertile age. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Materials and methods: Sixty females aged 17-23 years were randomly assigned to either a study group or a control group. The study group received acupuncture for the duration of 20 minutes/day, for 15 days/month, for the period of 90 days. The control group did not receive acupuncture for the same period. Baseline, during, and post assessments of both the groups were taken on day 1; day 30 and day 60; and day 90, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measures of analysis of variance followed by post hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons, independent samples t test for visual analog scale score, and Mann-Whitney U test for rest of the variables using statistical package for the social sciences, version 16.

Results: This study showed a significant reduction in all the variables such as the visual analog scale score for pain, menstrual cramps, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, faint, mood changes, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting in the study group compared with those in the control group.

Conclusion: Acupuncture could be considered as an effective treatment modality for the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Keywords: acupuncture; menstruation; pain; primary dysmenorrhea.