Clinical Research On Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment By Acupuncture Combined With Chinese Herbal Medicine

ObjectiveThis randomized controlled clinical trial adopts the clinical epidemiological, clinical research and statistical methods and takes Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Group as the control group. It observes the clinical efficacy of catgut embedding at acupoints combined with the oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine and attempts to make preliminary assessment on its mechanism and safety.Methods64 premenstrual syndrome patients were selected who were treated in Zhang Ruishu Clinic in Tianzhong, Zhanghua County, Taiwan from February 2010 to November 2010 and who met the case selection criteria. They were randomly grouped into the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Group and Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Group with 32 patients in each group.3 weeks make a treatment period and there's one treatment period in total. Assess the changes of major symptoms and body signs of premenstrual syndromes of each menstrual cycle before and after the treatment. Evaluate patients'hormone levels, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL) on the 21±1 days of the menstrual cycle. Observe its clinical curative effect and conduct safety testing. After three menstrual cycles, offer follow-up visits and observe the recurrence after treatment.Establish a database with EPIDATA 3.1 software and analyze with SPSS 15.0 software. The measurement material is expressed by mean±standard deviations (x±S) and the numeration data is expressed by constituent ratio (%).The interclass comparison of measurement material is expressed by t test (for heterogeneity of variance, adopt t'inspection or rank sum test), the self AP comparison adopts pair t test or Wilcoxon pair rank sum test. The interclass comparison of classified data adoptsχ2 test and the interclass comparison of ranked material takes Wilcoxon rank sum test. Statistical graphics are produced with Graph Pad Prism 4.03 Software.ResultsThis study conducts a 3-week clinical research on 62 subjects and finds that in the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Group,4 were clinically cured, occupying 12.5%; 18 of excellence, occupying 56.3%; 8 of utility, occupying 25.0% and the total effectiveness is 93.75%; the Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Control Group,2 cases were clinically cured, accounting for 6.3%; 12 cases of excellence, accounting for 37.5%; 10 cases of utility, accounting for 31.3% and the total effectiveness is 75.0%. The curative effect comparison of the two groups of patients shows the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), and the curative effect of the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Group is significantly higher than that of the Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Group. Acupuncture combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine has significant curative effect on various symptoms and body signs of premenstrual syndrome and the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05), especially in lessening the breast pain, fidgety, tantrum and depression, compared with the Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Group.After treatment, the E2 and PRL content in blood in progestational stage decrease, compared with those before treatment, but progesterone level in blood in progestational stage rises and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). Catgut embedding at acupoints may improve the progesterone level of the progestational stage and improve the luteal function.Make follow-up visits on 54 cases of total utility 3 months after treatment, and the author finds that among the total effective 30 cases of the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Group,6 recurred, accounting for 20.0%; in the Chinese Herbal Medicine Group, among the total effective 24 cases,7 cases recurred, accounting for 29.2%. The difference of the recurrence rate of two groups has no statistical significance (P>0.05) which indicates two groups' recurrence rates are the same. But from statistical number, it is observed that the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Group's curative effect is better than that of the Simple Chinese Herbal Medicine Group and its recurrence rate is comparatively low. The absence of statistical significant difference may be related with small sample. No adverse reaction is found during treatment.Conclusion1. Catgut embedding at acupoints combined with oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine, i. e. Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder, is better than simple oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine to treat premenstrual syndrome of stagnation of Qi due to depression of liver.2. In improving patients' breast pain, fidgety, tantrum and depression, catgut embedding at acupoints combined with oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine has more significant effect than simple oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine.3. Progestational hormone deficiency at luteal phase may be one of the causes for premenstrual tension syndrome. Catgut embedding at acupoints combined with oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine may enhance the progestational hormone level at luteal phase and improve the luteal function. The curative effect is better than simple Chinese Herbal Medicine.4. Catgut embedding at acupoints combined with oral intake of Chinese Herbal Medicine has comparatively lower recurrence rate and no adverse reaction is found during treatment which indicates that it's an economic, convenient and easily accepted therapy with lasting effect and no adverse effect.