| 1 Objective The research explored effects of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on symptom score and sex hormone of perimenopausal syndrome patients in order to determine relationship between therapeutic effect and frequency of electroacupuncture.2 Method The research separated 30 patient subjects into an experiment group and a control group at the ratio of 1:1 randomly and the patients are from department of acupuncture and moxibustion and gynaecological outpatient clinic of the First Affilicated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine and department of acupuncture and moxibustion of out-patient department of Anhui University of TCM.The operation method and treatment course were kept the same in two groups, but the frequency was different. For example, the frequency of the experiment group was three times a week and once a week in control group. Specifically, acupuncture needles were inserted into the body at acupuncture points such as Guanyuan, Zigong, Tianshu,and Sanjinjiao, and needle handles on bilateral Zigong are then transversely attached to wires of an electric acupuncture apparatus.As for sparsedense wave electroacupuncture, the frequency was set at 10/50 Hz and electric current at 0.5-1.0 m A. Subsequently, electric currents were gradually increased depending on the condition of patients being treated and several pairs of needles on Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao were stimulated for 10 min at a time, totaling no more than 30 min. The treatment can be proceeded for 8 weeks.Both the two groups follow up to 32 weeks.In either experiment group or control group, MRS score on patients was evaluated in the zeroth, 4th, 8th, 20 th and 32 th weeks and sex hormone was examined in the zeroth, 8th and 20 th weeks.Statistic analysis was then performed with the SPSS19.0 and bilateral test was applied. Besides, a small P-value(P<0.05) meant that statistical significance is attained.3 Results The MRS scores declined remarkably in the 4th, 8th, 20 th and 32 th weeks in experiment group, with statistical significance(P<0.01). In control group, in contrast,MRS score dropped sharply in the 4th and 8th weeks, with statistical significance(P<0.01); in the 20 th week, differences in MRS score decrease was statistically significant(P<0.05), but statistical significance in the 32 th week was not shown with that in baseline period(P>0.05). In addition to that, before treatment, different groups did not show statistical significance in comparative differences in the 4th, 8th and 20 th weeks(P>0.05) and were statistically significant in the 32 th week(P<0.01).Comparative differences in FSH, LH and E2 of patients were displayed between the experiment and control groups or among the same group(P>0.05).After 8 weeks treatment, ORR(overall response rate) reached 85.7% in the experiment group and 69.2% in the control group, and statistical significance was not displayed in comparative differences(P>0.05). After 32 weeks, however, ORRs were100% and 38% of the experimental and control groups, showing statistical significance(P<0.01).4 Conclusion(1) Electroacupuncture can be effectively used in menopausal symptoms’ relief, and can be an effective method for clinical treatment of menopausal syndrome.(2) In a short term, treatment on menopause with a frequency at three times a week shows little difference with that at once a week with electroacupuncture,but the short-term treatment does not produce long-term benefits.(3) The effect of Electroacupuncture on the level of sex hormone in the patients with peri menopausal syndrome is not obvious. |
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