RESUMEN
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture, auricular point sticking, and the combination of the two methods in treating primary dysmenorrhea by using randomized controlled method, for selecting the optimal treatment in treating primary dysmenorrhea, and to explore the nursing care method for primarydysmenorrhea from the perspective of Chinese medicine. MethodNinety patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into an acupuncture group of 30 cases (group A), an auricular point sticking group of 30 cases (group B), and a combined group of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking of 30 cases (group C). The patients were given treatment 7 d ahead of the menstrual period, a menstrual cycle as a treatment course, totally for 3 courses. The pain score and clinical efficacies were observed and compared among the three groups for statistical analyses.Result The pain scores were significantly changed in the three groups after intervention (P<0.05), there were significant differences in comparing the pain scores among the three groups after intervention (P<0.05), group A and C were superior to group B (P<0.05), and group C was superior to group A (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.7% in group A, versus 93.3% in group B and 100.0%in group C, and the rank-sum test showed thatZ=7.675,P=0.022 (P<0.05).ConclusionThe three treatment methods are all effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea, while combining acupuncture and auricular point sticking can approach the optimal effect.