Acupuncture with Tiaochong Shugan method by stages for menstrual headache based on syndrome differentiation: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture with Tiaochong Shugan method by stages based on syndrome differentiation and oral administration of ibuprofen sustained-release capsule in patients with menstrual headache. A total of 90 cases with menstrual headache were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (45 cases, 1 case excluded, 3 cases dropped off) and a medication group (45 cases, 3 cases dropped off). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture with Tiaochong Shugan method by stages based on syndrome differentiation; during period of pain attacks, Ganshu (BL 18), Qimen (LR 14), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Sizhukong (TE 23) through Shuaigu (GB 8) were selected, once a day; during period of pain relief, Qichong (ST 30), Dahe (KI 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Taixi (KI 3) were selected, once every 1-2 days. The patients in the medication group were treated with oral administration of ibuprofen sustained-release capsule during period of pain attacks. Each menstrual cycle was taken as a course of treatment, and both groups were treated for 3 courses. The headache comprehensive score (HCS), visual analogue scale (VAS) socre, dysmenorrhea symptom score (DSS) were compared before treatment, 1, 2 and 3 courses into treatment and 1, 2, 3 menstrual cycles after treatment; the clinical efficacy was also evaluated. The HCS score at each time point after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); 2 and 3 menstrual cycles after treatment, the HCS socres in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). Except for the 2 and 3 menstrual cycles after treatment in the medication group, the VAS score at each time point after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). Except for 1 menstrual cycle into treatment, the DSS scores in the acupuncture group at each time point after treatment was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05); the DSS socres at 2 and 3 menstrual cycles into treatment and 1 menstrual cycle after treatment were lower than those before treatment in the medication group (P<0.05). Except for 1 menstrual cycle into treatment, the VAS score and DSS score in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the medication group at each time point after treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 82.9% (34/41) in the acupuncture group, which was higher than 73.8% (31/42) in the medication group (P<0.05). The analgesic effect of acupuncture with Tiaochong Shugan method by stages based on syndrome differentiation is superior to oral administration of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, which could effectively prevent the recurrence of menstrual headache, and improve irregular menstruation-related symptoms.