Acupuncture Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome
Item
Title
Acupuncture Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome
Author(s)
Date
2013
volume
25(3)
pages
200-204
Research Type
Systematic Review
Keywords
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acupuncture might be an effective intervention for treating premenstrual pain syndrome (PMS). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to investigate various acupunture methods and analyze treatment characteristics for future research studies. SEARCH STRATEGY: A specified literature search was performed in MEDLINE (2001-2011) and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1992-2011). The key word searches combined premenstrual syndrome-related, menstrual-related, and acupuncture-related terms. RESULTS: Twelve studies were found that met the criteria. Eleven of the trials focused on observing the treatment effect of acupuncutre on PMS, while one trial focused on the relationship between pain sensitivity at acupoints and the severity of PMS. Nine studies applied body acupuncture and one used scalp acupuncture, and one used auricular acupuncture. Three studies lacked controls. The results of eight studies showed that acupuncture groups had better therapeutic effects that those in conrtol groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were some specific acupuncture-treatment characteristics for PMS, point selection syndrome differentiation, and timing of interventions. Further, well-designed, PMS< acupuncture clinical trials, which inculde the specific characteristics are needed. KEY WORDS: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS; Acupuncture; PMS-Specific Characteristics;
doi
10.1089/acu.2012.0913
View on Pubmed
has health condition studied
Menstruation Disturbances
has study population number
12 studies