Laser acupuncture does not improve menopausal symptoms
O'Brien, Kylie A, Varigos, E, Black, C and Komesaroff, Paul A (2010) Laser acupuncture does not improve menopausal symptoms. Menopause, 17 (3). pp. 636-641. ISSN 1072-3714 (print) 1530-0374 (online)
Abstract
Objective: Acupuncture is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms and other gynecological conditions. Laser acupuncture, more accurately named "laser acupoint stimulation," has the advantages of being noninvasive, reproducible, and convenient. A few studies of conventional acupuncture have suggested a beneficial effect in treating menopausal symptoms. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of laser acupoint stimulation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 40 women experiencing active symptoms of menopause. Outcome variables were numbers of diurnal and nocturnal flushes and symptom score, determined using a previously validated scale. A laser acupoint stimulation device was altered to produce identical flashing lights whether or not the laser was operating to allow for a placebo ("laser off") control. Participants received either active or placebo treatment on a fortnightly basis for 12 weeks. The acupoint selection in both groups was individualized to each participant, selected from a set of 10 acupoints. Results: There were no significant differences between the active and placebo treatment groups in numbers of diurnal or nocturnal flushes or in nonflushing symptom scores. Conclusions: Laser acupoint stimulation chosen from a fixed set of acupoints is no more efficacious than manual stimulation with an inert laser probe in altering menopausal symptoms.
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Item type | Article |
URI | https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/7181 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181c72b9d |
Official URL | https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract... |
Subjects | Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Historical > FOR Classification > 1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Historical > SEO Classification > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences |
Keywords | ResPubID21680, acupuncture, menopausal, hot flushes, laser acupoint stimulation, women's health |
Citations in Scopus | 7 - View on Scopus |
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