ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion before menstruation and since the first day of menstruation on primary dysmenorrhoea (PD), thereby optimizing the clinical treatment plan. MethodsSixty patients with PD were randomly divided into pretreatment group (treated before menstruation) and conventional treatment group (treated since the first day of menstruation) of 30 cases each. For all patients, the area surrounded by bilateral Zigong (EX-CA1) and bilateral Guilai (ST 29) in the supine position, and that formed by bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32) in the prone position were selected for circling moxibustion (2 min), sparrow-pecking moxibustion (1 min), and then moxibustion along the channels to stimulate the moxibustion sensation and obtain two heat-sensitive points with the best sensation for treatment. In the pretreatment group, moxibustion was applied 3-7 days before the onset of menstruation, and in the conventional treatment group, moxibustion was applied on the day of menstruation. Both groups were treated once daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle for 3 consecutive cycles. The clinical outcomes of the two groups were measured before and after treatment in terms of the COX menstrual pain symptom scale (CMSS) scores, visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) scores, and uterine artery hemodynamic indicators including blood pulsation index (PI) and resistance index (RI), and the clinical effect was compared. ResultsAfter treatment, the CMSS scores, VAS scores, PI and RI in the two groups decreased, and lower scores were found in the pretreatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate after treatment was 93.3% (28/30) in the pretreatment group, which was better than 73.3% (22/30) in the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion before the menstruation for PD was better than that implemented since the first day of menstruation, by significantly improving the patients' dysmenorrhoea symptoms and uterine artery blood flow index.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the differences of the early response time between transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS ) and modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT )in patients with first-episode depression.Methods:Totally 65 first-episode patients aged 18 -45 year were enrolled in the study.The diagnoses were made according tothe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ)criteria for depression.The patients randomly received rTMS(n =33)or MECT (n =32).All patients received co-therapy of escitalopram (10 -20 mg /day).Stimulation (20 Hz)was performed five times a week for four weeks and,a total of 20 consecutive working days over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC).MECT group received MECT treatment 3 times a week for 3 weeks,a total of eight times.The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 items (HAMD)was used to assess the severity of clinical symptoms and reduction rates.Results:Compared with the pa-tients in MECT group,the patients in rTMS group showed a less reduction rates [(25.0.±3.1),(34.4 ±7.7), (52.2 ±7.8),(69.1 ±8.3),vs(28.2 ±5.4),(38.8 ±5.1 ),(57.7 ±6.8),(75.4 ±8.6),Ps <0.05]in the first four weeks and the suicidal behavior scores reduced less in rTMS group in the first two weeks (P <0.05).Conclu-sion:It suggests that both rTMS at 20 Hz and MECT combined with escitalopram could improve the first-episode depression within a week.While the efficacy of rTMS combined with escitaloprm slightly less than MECT com-bined with essitaloprm in rapid response and reducing the suicide risk of acut period.