Moxibustion for Patients with Primary Dysmenorrhea at Different Intervention Time Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Main Authors: Liu L, Li X, Wei W, Guo X, Zhu L, Gao F, Liang F, Yu S, Yang J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-10-01
• Series: Journal of Pain Research
• Subjects: primary dysmenorrhea; moxibustion; intervention time; randomized controlled trial; pain relief
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/moxibustion-for-patients-with-primary-dysmenorrhea-at-different-interv-peer-reviewed-article-JPR

Li-ying Liu,1,* Xiao-ji Li,2,* Wei Wei,1 Xiao-li Guo,1 Li-hua Zhu,3 Fei-fei Gao,4 Fan-rong Liang,1 Si-yi Yu,1 Jie Yang1 1Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 2Natural Harmony Clinic, Auckland City, New Zealand; 3Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou Development District Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 4Geriatrics Department, Tianjin Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jie Yang; Si-yi YuChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [e-mail]; [e-mail]: To investigate the effectiveness of moxibustion at different times of the menstrual cycle for patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).Patients and Methods: Participants were 208 patients allocated to three controlled groups: one pre-menstrual treatment group (Group A), one menstrual-onset treatment group (Group B), and one waiting-list group (Group C). Groups A and B received the same intervention of moxibustion on points SP6 and RN4 but at different times. Group C, the waiting-list group, received no treatment throughout the study. Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS) score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain intensity, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score. CMSS and VAS scores were obtained at the baseline stage (three cycles), treatment stage (three cycles), and follow-up stage (three cycles), a total of seven evaluations. SAS and SDS scores were obtained on the day of group allocation and the first day of the follow-up stage, a total of two evaluations.Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable across the three groups. Pain duration (CMSS score) was significantly higher in Group C than in the other two groups at each evaluation (P< 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the improvement in pain duration between Group B and Group C (P< 0.001) throughout the trial. There were no significant changes in pain severity (CMSS score) after the 3-month treatment in Group A and Group B (P> 0.05). Secondary outcomes showed that pre-menstrual moxibustion (Group A) was as effective as menstrual-onset moxibustion (Group B) in relieving pain intensity (VAS score) and negative mood (SDS and SAS scores).Conclusion: Moxibustion appears as an effective treatment for PD. Pre-menstrual application is more effective than menstrual-onset application.Trial Registration Chictr.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-14004627.Keywords: primary dysmenorrhea, moxibustion, intervention time, randomized controlled trial, pain relief