A comparison of acupuncture and oral estradiol treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of electro-acupuncture with oral estradiol and superficial needle insertion on hot flushes in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Forty-five postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms were randomized to electro-acupuncture, superficial needle insertion or oral estradiol treatment during 12 weeks, with 6 months' follow-up. The number and severity of flushes were registered daily and the Kupperman index and a general estimate of climacteric symptoms were completed before, during and after therapy.


RESULTS
In the electro-acupuncture group, the mean number of flushes/24 h decreased from 7.3 to 3.5 (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Eleven of the 15 women had at least a 50% decrease in number of flushes (with a mean decrease of 82%). Superficial needle insertion decreased the number of flushes/24 h from 8.1 to 3.8 (p < 0.001). In seven out of 13 women, the number of flushes decreased by at least 50% (mean decrease 83%). In the estrogen group, the number of flushes decreased from 8.4 to 0.8 (p < 0.001). The decrease in number of flushes persisted during the 24-week follow-up period in all treatment groups. The Kupperman index and the general climacteric symptom score decreased, and remained unchanged 24 weeks after treatment in all groups (p < 0.001). Electro-acupuncture decreased the number of flushes/24 h significantly over time, but not to the same extent as the estrogen treatment. No significant difference in effect was found between electro-acupuncture and the superficial needle insertion.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that acupuncture is a viable alternative treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women and cannot recommend superficial needle insertion as an inactive control treatment.
Wyon
Y
Y
Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Wijma
K
K
Nedstrand
E
E
Hammar
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004958:Estradiol