Effects of Electroacupuncture and Electroacupuncture Plus Tao Hong Si Wu Wan in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacies of electroacupuncture and the combination of electroacupuncture with a commonly used herbal pill, Tao Hong Si Wu Wan, in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, and to compare the results with those obtained using conventional medical treatment, specifically treatment with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Design and methods Eligibility criteria were set up to increase the accuracy of matches. Patients were assigned to three groups: two treatment groups and a reference group. Electroacupuncture was used in both treatment groups: two sessions per menstrual cycle for three menstrual cycles, giving a total of six sessions. One of the two treatment groups was administered the herb Tao Hong Si Wu Wan (2625 mg), while the other was administered a placebo pill (2625 mg) twice daily for 3 months. The reference group was administered ibuprofen, 600 mg twice daily, during their menstrual cycles for five cycles. Use of the herbal products, both those used for treatment and those used as a placebo, were blinded in both the treatment group and the control group. A number of steps were taken to reduce the variables: one qualified acupuncturist, a standard treatment protocol, and standard procedures were used. A ridit analysis was used for testing and interpreting the effects of treatment in the treatment and reference groups. Outcome measure Patient-centered outcome measurements were applied. Pain intensity was determined using a qualitative grading method, which is quick, easy, relatively accurate, and practical in clinical settings, and was used in a blinded manner. Results At the end of treatment and at the follow-up consultations 3 and 12 months later, statistically significance differences in the treatment outcomes among all the groups were clearly shown in the ridit score diagram. The ridit scores in the acupuncture plus placebo pill group and the acupuncture plus herbal treatment group were significantly higher than those in the self-managed reference group immediately after the treatments, as well as 3 months later. Subjects in the acupuncture plus herbal treatment group had a higher ridit score than those in the acupuncture plus placebo pill group 12 months after the treatments. Conclusion In comparison to the group that was administered ibuprofen, the group that received electroacupuncture and the group that received electroacupuncture plus Tao Hong Si Wu Wan achieved better menstrual pain relief both immediately and 3 months after treatment. The group that received the combined treatment, electroacupuncture plus Tao Hong Si Wu Wan, also had better long-term pain relief than the electroacupuncture-only group.