A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of chiropractic therapy on premenstrual syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of chiropractic therapy on the treatment of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial.


METHODS
Multicenter private clinics.


METHODS
Twenty-five subjects with diagnosed premenstrual syndrome (with a Moos premenstrual syndrome questionnaire plus daily symptom monitoring).


METHODS
After randomization, 16 of the subjects received high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation plus soft tissue therapy 2 to 3 times in the week before menses for at least 3 cycles. The remaining 9 subjects received a placebo treatment with a spring-loaded adjusting instrument wound down for minimum force. After a 1-cycle washout, the 2 groups changed over.


METHODS
Daily rating of symptom level, comparing total scores for premenstrual week with baseline for treatment and placebo phases.


METHODS
The data were analyzed with paired Student t tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests, with the statistical significance set at P < .05.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in scores after treatment compared with baseline scores (P = .00001) and a statistically significant decrease in scores for the treatment phase compared with the placebo (P = .006). For group 1 (n = 16), there was a significant decrease in scores after treatment compared with baseline scores (P = .0001) and a statistically significant decrease in scores for the treatment phase compared with the placebo (P = .041). For group 2 (n = 9), there was a significant decrease in scores during treatment compared with the baseline (P = .01); however, there was no difference at the P = .05 level between treatment and placebo scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of the study, the results support the hypothesis that the symptoms associated with PMS can generally be reduced by chiropractic treatment consisting of adjustments and soft-tissue therapy. However, the role of a placebo effect needs further elucidation, given that the group receiving the placebo first, although improving over the baseline, showed no further improvement when they had actual treatment.
Walsh
M J
MJ
Department of Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Complementary Medicine, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia.
Polus
B I
BI
D000328:Adult; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome