Overall adjustment acupuncture for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP): a study protocol for a randomized...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Gerontology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Osteoporosis prevalence increases with aging populations globally, leading to significant fracture-related economic burdens.
• Current osteoporosis medications present potential side effects.
• Acupuncture is a common, minimally invasive treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but robust clinical evidence is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of overall adjustment acupuncture (OA) in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP).
• To compare OA with sham acupuncture (SA) in a randomized controlled trial.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of OA in managing PMOP.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, sham-controlled, patient- and assessor-blinded trial involving 104 women aged 45-70 with PMOP.
• Participants were allocated 1:1 to receive OA or SA, alongside standard herbal medicine treatment, twice weekly for 3 months.
• Primary outcome: bone mineral density (BMD); Secondary outcomes: hormonal levels (E2, FSH), bone turnover markers (BGP, BALP), oxidative stress markers (TAC, AOPP), and clinical scores (VAS, TCM, QOL).

Main Results:

• The study is designed to compare the efficacy of OA versus SA in treating PMOP.
• Outcome measures including bone mineral density, hormonal levels, bone metabolism markers, and quality of life will be assessed.
• Data will be collected at baseline, 1.5 months, and 3 months to evaluate treatment effects.

Conclusions:

• This trial aims to determine if OA can effectively treat PMOP by enhancing estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
• The study hypothesizes that OA may rebalance osteogenic differentiation and lipogenesis in bone-marrow cells affected by oxidative stress.
• Findings will contribute to understanding acupuncture's role in managing PMOP.