Efficacy of Electroacupuncture for Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in the management of chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

This randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial enrolled 66 women aged 18 to 50 years with CPP. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Each treatment session lasted 30 minutes and was administered three times weekly, with treatment suspended during menstruation and subsequently resumed until 24 sessions were completed. The primary outcomes were lower abdominal pain and lumbosacral pain assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline, week 8 (end of treatment), and week 16 (8-week follow-up). Secondary outcomes were depression and anxiety assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) before and after treatment.

Sixty-six women were randomized, with 32 assigned to electroacupuncture and 34 to sham electroacupuncture. At week 8, the reported between-group effect estimates were 3.37 (95% CI, 2.62-4.12) for lower abdominal pain and 3.14 (95% CI, 2.42-3.87) for lumbosacral pain (both p < 0.001). At week 16, the corresponding reported estimates were 3.69 (95% CI, 2.90-4.48) and 3.38 (95% CI, 2.63-4.13), respectively (both p < 0.001), indicating that the reduction in pain was maintained during follow-up. No significant between-group differences were observed in changes in HAMD or HAMA scores after treatment. No serious adverse events were reported.

Electroacupuncture may reduce lower abdominal and lumbosacral pain in women with CPP, and the observed reduction was maintained through the 8-week follow-up period. No specific between-group benefit was demonstrated for anxiety or depressive symptoms. Larger studies with longer follow-up are warranted.