Clinical Study on Dry Needling for Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Preliminary Correlation With Acupoints

Launched by BEIJING HOSPITAL · Mar 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of dry needling therapy and traditional acupuncture on menstrual pain, known as primary dysmenorrhea, which many young women experience. The researchers want to find out if these treatments can help reduce pain and improve the quality of life for women aged 18 to 30 who have been diagnosed with this condition. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one receiving dry needling treatment, another receiving traditional acupuncture, and a third group receiving a placebo treatment that doesn’t involve any real needles. The study will compare pain levels, quality of life, and other health factors before and after the treatments.

To join the study, participants must be females aged 18 to 30 who have been experiencing menstrual pain for over two years and whose pain is rated above a certain level on a scale. However, women with certain medical conditions, recent pregnancies, or who have had prior acupuncture treatments will not be eligible. Those who participate can expect to undergo either dry needling or acupuncture treatment and will be monitored for changes in their pain and overall well-being. This research could help us better understand how these therapies work and possibly lead to new approaches in treating menstrual pain.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. All participants diagnosed explicitly by a gynecologist as having primary dysmenorrhea without pelvic organic lesions.
• • 2. Aged between 18 and 30 years.
• • 3. A history of cyclical menstrual pain for more than 2 years.
• • 4. Pain greater than 30mm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-100mm).
• • 5. Participants must sign an informed consent form and be willing to undergo acupuncture treatment and cooperate to complete the relevant procedures of this trial.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Those suffering from secondary dysmenorrhea or any other reproductive and urinary system diseases, such as endometriosis.
• • 2. A history of pregnancy, miscarriage, or planning for pregnancy. Individuals with skin infections on the abdomen and lower back.
• • 3. Past use of acupuncture therapy or other needling treatments.
• • 4. Those with a history of mental illness and severe diseases of the heart, liver, brain, kidneys, hematopoietic system, etc.
• • 5. Within the past 6 months, individuals referred to pain clinics, those who have used pain relievers like morphine or pethidine, or those allergic to NSAIDs. Also, those currently taking or receiving anticoagulant medications.
• • 6. Individuals who have had adverse reactions to acupuncture (e.g., fainting).