EA was superior to pharmacological treatment when the treatment duration lasted for three menstrual cycles , evidence d by significantly higher curative rate .
No statistically significant differences between EA at SP6 and control groups were found regarding the VRS , RSS-COX1 , and RSS-COX2 .
The findings of our study suggested that EA can provide considerable immediate analgesia effect for PD .
Electroacupuncture ( EA ) is considered to be a promising alternative therapy to relieve the menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea ( PD ) , but the conclusion is controversial .
Here , we conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis specifically to evaluate the clinical efficacy from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) on the use of EA in patients with PD .
Effect of acupuncture on Deqi traits and pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea: analysis of data from a larger randomized controlled trial
Background Deqi is a central concept in traditional Chinese acupuncture . We performed a secondary analysis on data from a larger r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) in order to assess the effect of acupuncture on deqi traits and pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea . Methods A total of 60 primary dysmenorrhea patients were enrolled and r and omly assigned to one of three treatment groups . Acupuncture was given at SP6 , GB39 or nonacupoint .  Subjective pain was measured by a 100-mm visual analogue scale ( VAS ) before and after acupuncture . The Massachusetts General Hospital acupuncture sensation scales ( MASS ) with minor modification was used to rate deqi sensations during acupuncture . Results The results showed that VAS scores of pain after acupuncture were significantly decreased comparing to before acupuncture treatment in all three groups ( P = 0.000 ) . However , no significant differences were found among three groups at the beginning or end of acupuncture treatment ( P = 0.928 , P = 0.419 ) . Conclusions There was no statistical difference among three groups in terms of intensity of deqi feeling . The types of sensation were similar across the groups with only minor differences among them . Trial registration Trial registration number : Controlled-Trials.com IS RCT N24863192
EA was superior to pharmacological treatment when the treatment duration lasted for three menstrual cycles , evidence d by significantly higher curative rate .
No statistically significant differences between EA at SP6 and control groups were found regarding the VRS , RSS-COX1 , and RSS-COX2 .
The findings of our study suggested that EA can provide considerable immediate analgesia effect for PD .
Electroacupuncture ( EA ) is considered to be a promising alternative therapy to relieve the menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea ( PD ) , but the conclusion is controversial .
Here , we conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis specifically to evaluate the clinical efficacy from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) on the use of EA in patients with PD .