| ObjectiveThis research aims to probe into the efficiency of randomized controlled clinical trials in allusion to the cold-damp coagulation type of dysmenorrhea, then to provide proves for a better selection of treatment period on dysmenorrhea, through clinical observations of the application of sandwiched moxibustion (moxibustion on ginger combined with moxibustion on salt) during different stages of the menstrual cycle (before period and in-between period) and through comparing patients’scales on the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) marked before and after the treatment.MethodoIogyThis research put randomized clinical trials into use. A total of70people-either teachers or students from Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, or outpatients of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine-who met the criteria of treatment and inclusion from November,2012to December,2013, were collected as research objects. Random number table method was wielded to divide the objects into two groups, namely, the before period treatment group (hereinafter referred to as BPT Group) with35patients and the in-between period treatment group (hereinafter referred to as IPT Group) with35patients. Both groups would be given sandwiched moxibustion (Shenque, moxibustion on ginger combined with moxibustion on salt; Guanyuan, double uterus, moxibustion on ginger). BPT Group received3treatment courses, each lasting for7consecutive days approximately10days before each patient’s period, separately in3consecutive menstrual cycles. If, period arrived within the 7-day treatment, therapy would discontinue. As for the IPT Group, patients received3treatment courses, each lasting right from day one to the last day of period, separately in3consecutive menstrual cycles. During the process, patients’scales on the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) would be marked before and after treatment in the1st,2nd, and3rd menstrual cycle. A follow-up visit was paid in the6th menstrual cycle to mark patients’scales on the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) before and after the treatment once more. The assessments of comprehensive therapeutic effects and of safety of each group would be conducted afterwards.ResultsThere were no eliminated cases but9excluded cases among all70objects. While2patients couldn’t provide valid data because of early or delayed arrivals of period,2refused treatment on account of apparent condition improvement,1quit the trial due to schedule conflicts, and4chose other treatment for needs of specific condition.Baseline condition:totally31cases from BPT Group and30cases from IPT Group were brought into statistics. The two groups were comparable in consequence of no statistical differences in age, scales on the symptoms of dysmenorrhea before treatment or VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), P>0.05.Therapeutic evaluation:applying sandwiched moxibustion (moxibustion on ginger combined with moxibustion on salt) to treat cold-damp coagulation type of dysmenorrhea was able to relive pain both before and in-between period. Chinese medicine syndrome therapy index showed there were no statistical differences in the two groups (P>0.05), while VAS therapy index showed there were (P<0.05), which meant both kinds of treatments were effective in symptoms improvement whereas treatment before period resulted better in pain relief. Safety assessment:according to the occurrence probability of adverse events, these two sets of trials did not have apparent differences in safety.ConclusionTherapeutic effects are shown in the application of sandwiched moxibustion (moxibustion on ginger combined with moxibustion on salt) on treating the cold-damp coagulation type of dysmenorrhea during different stages of the menstrual cycle (before period and in-between period). Though no apparent difference takes place in reducing dysmenorrhea, treatment before period takes effects faster than treatment in-between period. In the second course, also no distinction occurs. However, treatment before period excels treatment in period in terms of pain relief in dysmenorrhea. To sum up, applying sandwiched moxibustion (moxibustion on ginger combined with moxibustion on salt) before menstrual period works more effectively than after the period on relieving pain caused by the cold-damp coagulation type of dysmenorrhea. |
