Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Pain management
• Gynecology

Background:

• Limited data exists on using radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on abdominal acupuncture points for menstrual pain.
• Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) significantly impacts quality of life for many young women.
• Investigating novel, non-pharmacological treatments for PD is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rESWT applied to acupuncture points for treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
• To compare the effects of rESWT during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
• To assess the impact of rESWT on pain severity, duration, prostaglandin levels, anxiety, and menstrual blood loss.

Main Methods:

• Forty-four women with PD were randomized into three groups over three menstrual cycles.
• Groups received either rESWT on acupuncture points during the follicular phase (Group A) or luteal phase (Group B), or a heat patch as a control (Group C).
• Pain severity (VAS), duration, plasma PGF2α and PGE2, anxiety, and menstrual blood loss were measured before and after interventions.

Main Results:

• Both rESWT groups (A and B) showed significantly greater reduction in pain severity compared to the control group (C).
• Pain duration decreased in all groups, with no significant difference between them.
• rESWT did not alter plasma prostaglandin levels, while Group B showed decreased PGF2α and Group C showed decreased PGE2; anxiety levels remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• rESWT applied to abdominal acupuncture points safely and effectively reduces menstrual pain in PD, independent of prostaglandin changes.
• rESWT demonstrated comparable efficacy when applied during either the follicular or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
• Heat patch application also reduced pain, suggesting improved blood flow contributes to alleviating PD symptoms.