ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at Diji (SP8) versus acupuncture at Dijiand Guanyuan (CV4) in treating primary dysmenorrhea, for exploring the combination relation of the commonly-used acupoints in acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.MethodForty patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into a single acupoint group and a double acupoint group, 20 in each group. The single acupoint group was intervened by acupuncture at Diji, while the double acupoint group was by acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan. The change of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was observed and compared between the two groups.ResultThe changes of VAS score in the double acupoint group were more significant than that in the single acupoint group at each different time point.ConclusionAcupuncture at Diji alone and acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan both can effectively treat primary dysmenorrhea; however, acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan tends to produce a more significant effect than acupuncture at Diji alone; Diji and Guanyuan may work synergistically in acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.