Immediate Analgesic Effect of Perpendicular Needling or Transverse Needling at SP 6 in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Needling technique is an important factor contributing to the efficacy of an acupuncture point. In previous studies, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) had an immediate analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrhea (PD) with strengthened acupuncture stimulation. Transverse needling without De Qi is accepted more easily by patients who dislike De Qi. This kind of needling also has certain effects on some conditions. This study compared the immediate analgesic effect of perpendicular De Qi needling with transverse non-De Qi needling at SP 6 in patients with PD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six participants with PD were randomly allocated to a perpendicular needling group (Group A; n = 13) or a transverse needling group (Group B; n = 13). Visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-100 mm) pain levels and skin-temperature measurements were determined at 4 acupuncture points before and after the interventions. Results: Severity of dysmenorrhea was significantly decreased at 30 minutes after the interventions and at 10 minutes after needle removal in both groups (Group A: 35.77 mm and 39.62 mm less pain, respectively, on VAS; P < 0.001; Group B: 22.69 mm and 30.38 mm less pain, respectively, on VAS; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in VAS-P [VAS for pain] scores after the interventions between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Skin temperature at CV 4 was significantly increased after the intervention in group A only (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Both perpendicular and transverse needling at SP 6 had an immediate analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrhea. Proper needling techniques may be applied according to the tolerance of patients.

Keywords: SP 6; VAS; perpendicular needling; primary dysmenorrhea; skin temperature; transverse needling.

FIG. 1.

Study design. STOA, skin temperature of acupoints; VAS, visual analogue scale; min, minutes.

FIG. 2.

Flow chart of the study. VAS, visual analogue scale; VAS-P, VAS for pain; min, minutes.

FIG. 3.

Tube needling and skin temperature monitoring. (A) Tube needling at SP 6 perpendicularly in group A. (B) Tube needling at SP 6 transversely in group B. (C) Infrared thermal camera and (D) monitoring participants. Color images are available online.

FIG. 4.

Skin temperatures of acupoints in the 2 groups. min, minutes. Color images are available online.

FIG. 5.

Changes of skin temperature at acupoints on the Spleen channel at three timepoints. All data are showed as mean ± standard deviation. (1) Group A–left side. (2) Group A–right side. (3) Group B–left side. (4) Group B–right side. min, minutes; LT, left; RT, right. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.