The effect of acupuncture on pain, dyspareunia, and quality of life in Brazilian women with endometriosis: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the cavity of the uterus, its cause is still unknown, but the most accepted theory is the retrograde mesntruação, which states that part of the menstrual blood returns to the body instead of being eliminated. ObjectivesThe aim of this study, based on a randomized clinical trial, was to observe the effects of an acupuncture protocol on chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and quality of life in women with endometriosis. MethodsTo test the efficacy of acupuncture, we selected 42 women who were on the waiting list to undergo a videolaparoscopy at the University Hospital of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. These women were divided into two sample groups. The first received the experimental treatment of acupuncture, and the other received placebo therapy, for which the needles were inserted 3 cm apart from the points of energy. Each group underwent five treatment sessions lasting on average 40 min. Randomization was carried out using Clinical Trial Management System software, and the allocation sequence was performed by a laboratory assistant and hidden to the team conducting the project, which was responsible for collecting the information. To monitor the effects of this intervention, we used the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the quality-of-life questionnaire for Endometriosis Health Profile 30 (EHP-30) endometriosis. Variables were measured at three time points: pre-therapy, post-therapy, and 2 months after therapy. ResultsThe results were analysed with SAS software version 9.1.3 using analysis of variance. A decrease in VAS scores for chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia was observed in both groups analysed. However, 2 months after therapy, the results were maintained only in the experimental group. Regarding quality of life, we observed an improvement in all variables analysed, although these were statistically significant only in the experimental group. In contrast, the variable for infertility did not reach significance in either group. ConclusionsWe concluded that acupuncture confers beneficial and long-lasting effects, even 2 months after therapy, as demonstrated by the variables studied.Registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) with the identification codeRBR-7cfctd.