Comparison of the Effects of Acupressure and Electroacupuncture in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation that usually accompanied by cramping that is felt in the lower abdomen. Dysmenorrhea is generally divided into 2 types of primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is a spasmodic pain that is associated with ovulatory cycles, in the absence of demonstrable pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea is a congestive pain that is associated with organic uterine or pelvic pathology such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, myomas and so on (1). Dysmenorrhea can be accompanied by symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, nervousness, edema, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and so on (2-6). Primary dysmenorrhea occurs when the uterus spasm starts because of decreasing blood supply of uterus. It is believed that the release of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators in the uterus is the main cause of primary dysmenorrhea (3,7). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies between %18 to %81 based on different outcome measures in previous studies (8), but 10% of women suffer from severe symptoms of dysmenorrhea (5). Nowadays, dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of absenteeism in young women (2,3,8-10). For example, in the United States, dysmenorrhea caused a loss of 600 million working hours a year and its economic loss is estimated to be 2 billion dollars a year (11). Previous studies in Iran showed the prevalence of 71% to 98.4% for primary dysmenorrhea among young Iranian women (10,12). Various treatments such as pharmacotherapy, complementary medicine, and surgery are suggested for dysmenorrhea (13,14). Common pharmacotherapy includes NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and oral contraceptives. Complementary treatments include dietary changes, herbal tea, the use of heat in the area, and Chinese medicine like acupressure, electroacupuncture, and acupuncture (5). The Chinese believed that "chi" or vital energy flows in meridians and the specific points on meridians called acupoints affect certain organs of the human body. Acupressure is "energy balancing" and a type of "handson" techniques that balance energy flow, blood flow, lymphatic, hormonal and nerve conduction (13). Chinese medicines believe that menstrual symptoms occur due to a lack of blood or blood stagnation or the existence of "chi" in the body. The main and the most effective acupuncture point in the gynecological conditions such as dysmenorrhea is spleen 6 or saninjiao

Electroacupuncture Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The study with the largest number of participants had 194 individuals [10,11]. 1 study conducted electroacupuncture and acupressure [9], and 1 study compared the effects of electroacupuncture, general acupuncture, and oral analgesics [12]. 1 study compared EA and oral analgesics [13], and the other 3 studies also included comparisons of acupoints, unrelated acupoints, and non-acupoints [10,11,14].…”

“…Katayun et al [9] included female patients aged 18-26 years who had a definitive diagnosis of PD by their gynecologist and had regular menses for 2 years with a cycle between 28 ± 7 days. Song et al [10] reported on infertile females aged 15 to 30 years with a regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7 days) who had been diagnosed with PD between 6 months and 15 years of the onset of symptoms, were according to the Canadian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists "Clinical Guidelines for Primary Dysmenorrhea" (2005).…”

“…In all 3 studies, including comparisons between electroacupuncture, the control group received no treatment. As a control intervention, Katayun et al [9] received Acupressure and Ren et al [13] used oral analgesic. Zhi et al [14] used general acupuncture and oral analgesics as control interventions.…”

“…Shi et al [14] performed only 1 treatment. There were 5 studies where electroacupuncture was applied symmetrically to both sides of the body [9][10][11][12][13], and there was 1 study which did not report this [14]. Treatment sites included SP6 in all 6 studies.…”

Manfaat Akupresur Dalam Mencegah Menometrorhargia Pada Wanita Usia Reproduksi

“…Significant differences between the intervention and follow-up phases were found for high frequency (HF. Penekanan pada titik akupresur dapat menstimulasi jaringan syaraf untuk melepaskan hormon endorfin sesuai kebutuhan tubuh (Qorbanalipour et al, 2018) complementary or surgical treatments. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial (RCT.…”