This study was undertaken to compare the therapeutic effect between acupuncture at Shiqizhui only and multi acupoints on dysmenorrhea. Thirty-eight cases were randomly divided into a single acupoint group and a multi-acupoints group. The single acupoint group was treated by acupuncture at Shiqizhui only and the multi-acupoints group by acupuncture at Shiqizhui, SP6, SP8, and BL32. For three menstrual cycles, subjects were treated once daily for three days starting with the first day of intense pain. The therapeutic effect and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared and the score of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea by using Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS) were evaluated. The cured rate was 68.4% and the effective rate was 31.6% in the single acupoint group, being similar to 78.9% and 21.1% in the multi-acupoints group (P > 0.05). VAS and the scores of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea were all significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The authors concluded that acupuncture at Shiqizhui only can be as effective as selecting multi-acupoints in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2011 Mar;31(3):199-202. PMID: 21644298.
