Clinical Research Of Regulating Menstrual Circadian Rhythm Method Combined With Acupuncture To Treat Infertile Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Cased By Kidney Deficiency And Phlegmatic Hygrosis

Objective:The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of regulating menstrual circadian rhythm method with acupuncture to treat infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) caused by kidney deficiency and phlegmatic hygrosis. It investigated the potential synergistic effects of using acupuncture to promote regulation of the menstrual circadian rhythm, providing scientific evidence for its clinical application in the future.Study Design:The research was a randomised, prospective, case-controlled study. Sixty-six infertile women with PCOS caused by kidney deficiency and phlegmatic hygrosis enrolled in the study from September 2012 to December 2014 at the Dr Christine Cui Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Gynaecology Clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Sixty-three women completed the study and three withdrew. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups:the control group (n=31) received routine Chinese medicine and the treatment group (n=32) received routine Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Differences compared between groups before and after the treatment were:weight, body mass index, serum sex hormones, glucose metabolism indicators, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and total effective rate between two groups.Results:i) Compared to the control group, the treatment group had a statistically significant improved effect for weight reduction (p=0.013) and body mass index (p=0.032). ii) Compared to baseline serum, both control and treatment groups had statistically significantly decreased basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and total testosterone (p<0.05, both groups). There was no statistically significant difference between LH and testosterone in control and treatment groups (p=0.325; p=0.188, respectively).iii) Compared to baseline, insulin and Homa-0 cell function index were significantly reduced in both control and treatment groups (p<0.05, both groups). There was a statistically significant effect in insulin levels between the control and treatment groups (p=0.048). Comparing two groups before and after the treatment, the treatment group serum tests showed a lower level of insulin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index in the treatment group (p<0.05). iv) There was a higher ovulation rate in the treatment group compared to the control group (71.88% vs 45.16%, p<0.001). The clinical pregnancy rate was not statistically different between treatment and control groups (37.5% vs 29.03%, p=0.476). The total effective treatment rate did not differ statistically between treatment and control groups (93.75% vs 83.87%, p=0.212).Conclusions:Kidney deficiency and phlegmatic hygrosis are amongst the most common causes of infertility in women with PCOS. The therapy of regulating menstrual circadian rhythm method combined with acupuncture to treat this disease can promote the balance of reproductive hormones and anti-reproductive hormones, and assist in the regulation of endocrine homeostasis. Moreover, acupuncture was shown in this study to enhance the effects of regulating menstrual circadian rhythm method and reduce weight, body mass index, improve insulin resistance, reverse reproductive dysfunction and increase the ovulation rate. Whilst it did not reach statistical significance, a higher proportion of women in the treatment group did achieve clinical pregnancy. However, further studies are required to investigate whether in a larger sample and over a longer period of time, the clinical pregnancy rate might have been increased in a statistically significant proportion of women. Hence, further research* is warranted.