This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture or
acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6)
acupoint in relieving
pain associated with primary
dysmenorrhea. We searched the scientific literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS)
pain score. Three acupuncture and four
acupressure trials were included in the meta-analyses. For the acupuncture analysis, there was no difference in the mean VAS score reduction between the SP6
acupoint and control (GB39
acupoint) groups (-4.935; lower limit = -15.757, upper limit = 5.887; P = 0.371). For the
acupressure analysis, there was a significant difference in the mean VAS score after intervention between the SP6
acupoint and control (rest/light touch at SP6/nonacupoint
acupressure) groups, favoring the SP6
acupoint group (-1.011; lower limit = -1.622, upper limit = -0.400; P = 0.001). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated good reliability of the meta-analyses findings. These findings suggest that acupuncture at SP6 is not more effective than acupuncture at an unrelated
acupoint in the relief from primary
dysmenorrhea.
Acupressure at SP6 may be effective in the relief from primary
dysmenorrhea. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.