Acupuncture-ameliorated menopausal symptoms: single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of acupuncture and sham-acupuncture on women with menopausal symptoms as reflected in the intensity of their hot flushes and the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI).


METHODS
This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial with 81 patients assigned to two groups: Group 1 received 12 months of acupuncture, then 6 months of sham-acupuncture treatment (n = 56) and Group 2 received 6 months of sham-acupuncture, then 12 months of acupuncture treatment (n = 25). The needles were inserted in a harmonic craniocaudal manner at a depth of about 2 cm, and each session lasted approximately 40  min. The efficacy of acupuncture in ameliorating the climacteric symptoms of patients in postmenopause was determined through the KMI and the intensity of hot flushes. The analysis of variance method for two factors and repeated measures was applied.


RESULTS
The baseline values of the women in both groups were similar for the KMI score and number of hot flushes. At the end of 6 months, the values for the KMI and hot flushes for the women in Group 1 were lower than those of the women in Group 2 (p < 0.05). After 12 months, the KMI and hot flush data were similar in both groups. After 18 months, the values of the KMI and hot flushes for the women in Group 2 for were lower than those of the women in Group 1 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms may be effective for decreasing hot flushes and the KMI score in postmenopausal women.
de Luca
A Castelo Branco
AC
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School of University of São Paulo, Rua Sena Madureira 245, São Paulo, Brazil.
da Fonseca
A Maggio
AM
Lopes
C M Carvalho
CM
Bagnoli
V R
VR
Soares
J M
JM
Baracat
E C
EC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D002979:Climacteric; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method