Study on the effect of acupuncture for endometriosis

The aim of this study under Pei Shuang Li was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of endometriosis-related pain.

Participants were women aged 20 to 40 years with endometriosis-related pain. Participants were randomly assigned to acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment . The treatment took place over 12 weeks, starting one week before the expected menstruation and consisted of daily 30-minute sessions, three times a week. During menstruation, acupuncture was administered daily if pelvic pain associated with endometriosis occurred. After treatment, participants were followed up for a further 12 weeks.

Changes in maximum pain as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for various pelvic pains, duration of dysmenorrhea, and scores on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Profile of Mood States, and Endometriosis Health Profile from baseline to week 12 and week 24 were analyzed.

A total of 106 women were randomly assigned to the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. In the acupuncture group,the reduction in VAS score for dysmenorrhea was significantly greater after treatment, but not at the end of the study, compared to the sham acupuncture group. The duration of pain was significantly shorter in the acupuncture group. All test results improved significantly more in the acupuncture group than in the sham acupuncture group after week 12, but not after week 24. Changes in VAS scores for non-menstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia were not different between the groups. No serious adverse events or differences in adverse events were noted.

Acupuncture is an effective and safe method for relieving dysmenorrhea, shortening the duration of pain, and improving the well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis-related pain, although its effectiveness diminishes after the end of treatment.