Clinical studies on different acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea

Objective To seek the optimal acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea and provide clinical basis for optimal acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods A total of 90 eligible cases were randomly allocated into three groups, 30 cases in each group. Points Guanyuan (CV 4), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for patients in all three groups, with a different treatment duration: 15 min in group A, 30 min in group B and 45 min in group C. Then the clinical efficacy in each group was evaluated by pain symptom scoring. Results As for the pain symptom scores, there were statistically significant intra-group differences between before and after treatment in three groups (all P <0.05); coupled with statistically significant inter-group differences between group B and the other two groups (both P <0.05). As for clinical efficacy, there were statistical differences between group B and the other two groups (both P <0.05), indicating that 30 min of acupuncture is the optimal duration in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion With the same needling manipulation, 30 min of acupuncture treatment achieves a better efficacy for primary dysmenorrhea.