Laser acupuncture does not improve menopausal symptoms.

Author: O\'Brien KA, Varigos E, Black C, Komesaroff PA.
Affiliation: From the 1Victoria University Faculty of Health, Engineering, and Science, Melbourne, Australia; 2Monash University Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; 3Monash Surgical Private Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; and 4The Menopause and Midlife Women\'s Clinic, The Oxford Clinic, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference/Journal: Menopause
Date published: 2010 Jan 8
Other: Word Count: 204


OBJECTIVE:: Acupuncture is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms and other gynecological conditions. Laser acupuncture, more accurately named \"laser acupoint stimulation,\" has the advantages of being noninvasive, reproducible, and convenient. A few studies of conventional acupuncture have suggested a beneficial effect in treating menopausal symptoms. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of laser acupoint stimulation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause. METHODS:: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 40 women experiencing active symptoms of menopause. Outcome variables were numbers of diurnal and nocturnal flushes and symptom score, determined using a previously validated scale. A laser acupoint stimulation device was altered to produce identical flashing lights whether or not the laser was operating to allow for a placebo (\"laser off\") control. Participants received either active or placebo treatment on a fortnightly basis for 12 weeks. The acupoint selection in both groups was individualized to each participant, selected from a set of 10 acupoints. RESULTS:: There were no significant differences between the active and placebo treatment groups in numbers of diurnal or nocturnal flushes or in nonflushing symptom scores. CONCLUSIONS:: Laser acupoint stimulation chosen from a fixed set of acupoints is no more efficacious than manual stimulation with an inert laser probe in altering menopausal symptoms.