Comparative research between acupuncture and Climen in treatment of menopausal hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial: 针灸与克龄蒙治疗更年期潮热比较研究

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effect on menopausal hot flashes between acupuncture and Climen so as to provide a new approach to the treatment of this disease. MethodsA total of 80 cases in line with inclusion criteria were randomized into a treatment group (treated with acupuncture) and a control group (oral administration with climen), 40 cases in each one. The treatment for 1 month was as 1 course and lasted consecutively for 2 courses. Before and after treatment, the contents of serum estrogen (estradiol, E2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) and the scores of the attack frequency and severity scale of hot flashes and sweating, domestic modified Kupperman scale and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scale were observed, and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups separately. ResultsBefore treatment, there was no difference in the content of E2 and 5-HT, the score of hot flashes and sweating, Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the patients between two groups, indicating the comparability (all P > 0.05). Compared with the data before treatment, the contents of serum E2 (treatment group vs control group: 22.24 ± 11.02 vs 33.12 ± 1.01; 22.11 ± 10.19 vs 25.29 ± 2.23) and 5-HT (treatment group vs control group: 96.12 ± 8.21 vs 131.21 ± 30.21; 96.98 ± 7.99 vs 108.29 ± 22.08), the score of hot flashes and sweating (treatment group vs control group: 8.24 ± 1.02 vs 3.12 ± 1.01; 8.11 ± 1.19 vs 5.29 ± 2.23), Kupperman score (treatment group vs control group: 26.12 ± 2.21 vs 11.21 ± 0.21; 26.98 ± 1.99 vs 18.29 ± 2.08) and TCM symptom score (treatment group vs control group: 18.97 ± 3.87 vs 10.12 ± 0.16; 19.01 ± 2.29 vs 15.61 ± 2.89) were statistically different after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the contents of serum E2 and 5-HT, the score of hot flashes and sweating, Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the treatment group were all different statistically compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in clinical therapeutic effect in the patients between two group, in which, the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (90% vs 77.5%, P < 0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture effectively reduces Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the patients and its therapeutic effect is better than climen. Regarding relieving hot flashes symptoms in menopausal patients of kidney yin deficiency and improving in attack frequency and severity of hot flashes and sweating, the effects of acupuncture are superior to Climen. Acupuncture obviously increases the contents of serum E2 and 5-HT.