Author: Dieu-Thuong Thi Trinh1,2, An Hoa Tran1,2, Quy Thi Nguyen2, Minh-Man Pham Bui1,2, Nguyen Lam Vuong3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
<sup>2</sup> University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
<sup>3</sup> Department of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Conference/Journal: Med Acupunct
Date published: 2024 Feb 1
Other:
Volume ID: 36 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 12-20 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1089/acu.2023.0062. , Word Count: 240
Objective:
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that impacts quality of life significantly. Auricular therapies have shown promise for treating primary dysmenorrhea, but there is a lack of evidence specifically for auricular acupuncture (AA). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of AA for managing primary dysmenorrhea.
Materials and methods:
A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial was conducted on 90 females with primary dysmenorrhea: an AA group; n = 45) and a sham-AA (SA) group; n = 45. Specific ear acupoints (i.e., Uterus, Endocrine, Shenmen, Subcortex, Liver, and Kidney) were used for the intervention, which was 1 or 2 days prior to the expected menstruation onset. Outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, ibuprofen needs, and adverse events (AEs).
Results:
The AA group had significantly lower VAS scores, compared to the SA group at menstruation onset and for up to 12 hours (mean differences [MDs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: -1.08 [-1.96, -0.21] and -1.17 [-2.16, -0.18], respectively). Both groups had reductions in pain levels, compared to the prior menstrual cycle; the AA group had a significantly greater improvement. The AA group needed fewer ibuprofen tablets (MD: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.58, 0.00]). AEs were mild pain and irritation at insertion sites, all resolved spontaneously with no lasting effects.
Conclusions:
AA is safe. It may be effective for managing primary dysmenorrhea. Further studies are warranted on AA's effectiveness in diverse populations and extended times.
Keywords: auricular acupuncture; auricular therapy; primary dysmenorrhea; traditional medicine.
PMID: 38380169 PMCID: PMC10874823 (available on 2025-02-01) DOI: 10.1089/acu.2023.0062