Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hot Flushes in Menopause: A Randomized Trial

Baccetti, S.

Da Frè, M.

Becorpi, A.

Faedda, M.

Guerrera, A.

Monechi, M.V.

Munizzi, R.M.

Parazzini, F.

Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine

2014

20(7)

550-557

RCT

Acupuncture

Hot Flashes -- Prevention and Control

Perimenopausal Symptoms -- Prevention and Control

Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Human

Italy

Randomized Controlled Trials

Random Assignment

Intervention Trials

Pretest-Posttest Design

Alternative Therapies

Women's Health

Female

Massage

Self Care

Diet Therapy

Combined Modality Therapy

Questionnaires

Statistical Significance

Sleep Disorders

Anger

Pain

Depression

Prospective Studies

Middle Age

Descriptive Statistics

Data Analysis Software

Chi Square Test

T-Tests

Linear Regression

Paired T-Tests

Confidence Intervals

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hot flushes and other menopause-related symptoms used in an integrated system, including such therapeutic techniques as diet therapy and Tuina self-massage. Design: Randomized trial. Setting: Outpatient center. Participants: One hundred women in spontaneous menopause with at least three episodes of hot flushes daily were randomly allocated to two treatment groups (50 per group): Women in group A were given diet, self-massage training, and treatment with acupuncture, and women in group B (the control group) were given the same diet and self-massage training, but treatment with acupuncture started 6 weeks after they were enrolled into the study. Intervention: Acupuncture treatments were scheduled twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Outcome measures: Mean change in frequency and/or intensity in menopause-related symptoms were estimated by questionnaire after treatment at week 4. Results: Treatment with acupuncture significantly reduced the occurrence of hot flushes and sudden sweating ( p<.001). Other symptoms (sleep disorders, tightness in the chest, irritability, bone pain, feeling depressed) significantly improved. Conclusions: Acupuncture in an integrated system that includes therapeutic techniques such as diet therapy and Tuina self-massage can be used to treat hot flushes and selected symptoms in postmenopausal women.

10.1089/acm.2012.0499

Accession Number: 103971835. Language: English. Entry Date: 20140709. Revision Date: 20150820. Publication Type: Journal Article; research; tables/charts; randomized controlled trial. Journal Subset: Alternative/Complementary Therapies; Editorial Board Reviewed; Expert Peer Reviewed; Peer Reviewed; USA. Special Interest: Women's Health. NLM UID: 9508124.