Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy With Myofascial Meridians In The Treatment Of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Purpose:The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy(r ESWT)in the treatment of Primary dysmenorrhea(PD)based on myofascial meridians.Methods:It was a prospective,randomized controlled trial.Forty one women aged 23.49±2.38 who diagnosed with PD were recruited from Shanghai city after written consent forms were sought.They were then randomly allocated to three groups: r ESWT group in menstruation(N=15)received the r ESWT treatment in 1st day and 3rd day of menstrual cycle;r ESWT in pre-menstruation group(N=13)received r ESWT treatment in 3rd day and 5th day of first week before next menstrual cycle;and thermal group(N=13)received the hot paste in the 3rd day of menstrual cycle.The intervention lasted for three menstrual cycles and followed three menstrual cycles.Visual analog scale(VAS),Chinese primary dysmenorrhea Scores,self-rated anxiety scale(SAS),pictorial blood loss assessment chart(PBAC)and plasma PGE2 were evaluated before,after the intervention and followed periods.Results:1)VAS,SAS and PBAC were analyzed by RM ANOVA.During three times,r ESWT group in menstruation was significantly decreased after intervention(P=0.022)and could maintain three cycles;r ESWT in pre-menstruation group was normal effect which compared with thermal group(P>0.05)but their VAS scores increased after three cycles.2)In Chinese Primary Dysmenorrhea Scores,after intervention,the efficient rate in r ESWT groups was higher than thermal group(the rates were over 60%).Especially for r ESWT group in menstruation was highest rate(80%)after following-up period.3)Thermal group about PGE2 was declined than before in thermal group,however r ESWT groups were not changed.4)SAS and PBAC were not significant among three periods,SAS was normal between groups.According SAS and PBAC,r ESWT may be a safe and noninvasive method for women with primary dysmenorrhea.Conclusion:1)r ESWT group in menstruation combined with myofascial meridians was a more effective and safe method for the treatment in women with PD.After therapy those participants could release pain and maintain 3 cycles during VAS and Chinese Primary Dysmenorrhea Scores.r ESWT group before menstruation had also protective result on them and worse duration after intervention about VAS and Chinese Primary Dysmenorrhea Scores.2)The PGE2 of blood which were from r ESWT groups could almost hold the same level after treatment.In fact,it was the best method to cure PD used r ESWT group in menstruation.3)Besides,based on blood loss chart and depressed mood,participants did not have side effects in r ESWT groups.