Acupuncture ameliorates negative emotion in PCOS patients: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness and possible mechanism of acupuncture treatment for negative emotion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 40 PCOS patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. Both groups received lifestyle interventions (exercise and diet guidance) on the 5th day of menstruation. On the basis of above treatment, the patients in the observation group received acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guilai (ST 29), Futu (ST 32), Liangqiu (ST 34), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Shenmen (HT 7), Baihui (GV 20) as the main acupoints, and connected the electroacupuncture (continuous wave, 2 Hz, 30 min), once every other day, 3 times a week. The treatment for 1 month was as one course and 4 courses were required totally in both groups. Before and after treatment, the body mass index (BMI), ferriman-gallway (F-G) score, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, self-rating depression scale (SDS) score, PCOS health-related quality of life questionnaire (PCOSQ) score were observed, meanwhile, serum sex hormone, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), progestin (P), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free androgen index (FAI) levels, and serumβ-endorphin levels were detected. Compared with before treatment, the BMI, F-G score, SAS score, SDS score and serum FAI level were decreased and the PCOSQ score and the levels of serum SHBG andβ-endorphin were increased in the observation group after treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the SDS score was decreased in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the F-G score, SDS score, SAS score, and serum FAI level were lower, and the PCOSQ score and serumβ-endorphin level were higher in the observation group after treatment (all P<0.05). Applying acupuncture to the treatment of patients with PCOS can effectively relieve anxiety and depression, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation on the levels of serumβ-endorphin and androgen.