A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of applying a simple acupressure protocol to the Taichong point in relieving dysmenorrhea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether applying a simple acupressure protocol to the Taichong point is effective in relieving dysmenorrhea.

METHODS:

In this single-blind trial 194 students with dysmenorrhea were randomized to receive acupressure 5 days before menstruation for 3 months on either the Taichong or a placebo point. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed in the first and last of the 4 study cycles using the Andersch and Milsom scale. The χ(2) test, t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis.

RESULTS:

The difference in dysmenorrhea severity between the 2 groups was not significant in the first cycle but it was significant in the fourth cycle (U = 2377.00, P<0.001), and the decrease in dysmenorrhea severity was also significant in the study group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Applying a simple pressure protocol to the Taichong acupoint was an effective and inexpensive way of decreasing the severity of dysmenorrhea.

• Authors: Fatemeh Bazarganipour, Minoor Lamyian, Reza Heshmat, Mohamad Asghari Jaafar Abadi, Abdolvahab Taghavi
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 111 Issue 2 Pg. 105-9 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1879-3479 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20547392 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture Points
• Adolescent
• Dysmenorrhea (economics, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Pain Management
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Young Adult