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 and Clomiphene in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Importance Acupuncture is used to induce ovulation in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome , without supporting clinical evidence . Objective To assess whether active acupuncture , either alone or combined with clomiphene , increases the likelihood of live births among women with polycystic ovary syndrome . Design , Setting , and Participants A double-blind ( clomiphene vs placebo ) , single-blind ( active vs control acupuncture ) factorial trial was conducted at 21 sites ( 27 hospitals ) in mainl and China between July 6 , 2012 , and November 18 , 2014 , with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until October 7 , 2015 . Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome were r and omized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to 4 groups . Interventions Active or control acupuncture administered twice a week for 30 minutes per treatment and clomiphene or placebo administered for 5 days per cycle , for up to 4 cycles . The active acupuncture group received deep needle insertion with combined manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation ; the control acupuncture group received superficial needle insertion , no manual stimulation , and mock electricity . Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was live birth . Secondary outcomes included adverse events . Results Among the 1000 r and omized women ( mean [ SD ] age , 27.9 [ 3.3 ] years ; mean [ SD ] body mass index , 24.2 [ 4.3 ] ) , 250 were r and omized to each group ; a total of 926 women ( 92.6 % ) completed the trial .  Live births occurred in 69 of 235 women ( 29.4 % ) in the active acupuncture plus clomiphene group , 66 of 236 ( 28.0 % ) in the control acupuncture plus clomiphene group , 31 of 223 ( 13.9 % ) in the active acupuncture plus placebo group , and 39 of 232 ( 16.8 % ) in the control acupuncture plus placebo group . There was no significant interaction between active acupuncture and clomiphene ( P = .39 ) , so main effects were evaluated . The live birth rate was significantly higher in the women treated with clomiphene than with placebo ( 135 of 471 [ 28.7 % ] vs 70 of 455 [ 15.4 % ] , respectively ; difference , 13.3 % ; 95 % CI , 8.0 % to 18.5 % ) and not significantly different between women treated with active vs control acupuncture ( 100 of 458 [ 21.8 % ] vs 105 of 468 [ 22.4 % ] , respectively ; difference , −0.6 % ; 95 % CI , −5.9 % to 4.7 % ) . Diarrhea and bruising were more common in patients receiving active acupuncture than control acupuncture ( diarrhea : 25 of 500 [ 5.0 % ] vs 8 of 500 [ 1.6 % ] , respectively ; difference , 3.4 % ; 95 % CI , 1.2 % to 5.6 % ; bruising : 37 of 500 [ 7.4 % ] vs 9 of 500 [ 1.8 % ] , respectively ; difference , 5.6 % ; 95 % CI , 3.0 % to 8.2 % ) . Conclusions and Relevance Among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome , the use of acupuncture with or without clomiphene , compared with control acupuncture and placebo , did not increase live births . This finding does not support acupuncture as an infertility treatment in such women . Trial Registration clinical trials.gov Identifier :
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 .