title: [Comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine intervention for perimenopausal syndrome in women: a community study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As perimenopausal syndrome is a particularly disturbing condition to the patient, it is practical and necessary to establish a program of comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy for women with perimenopausal syndrome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the therapeutic effects of a comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy for women with perimenopausal syndrome in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with perimenopausal syndrome who met the inclusion criteria in 3 communities of Shanghai were selected for this study. Comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy, including administration of Chinese herbs, auricular point therapy, psychological counseling and the practice of Tai Chi, was applied for these women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The modified Kupperman index was measured once every 4 weeks for 12 weeks; the indexes of menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire were measured before and after the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in 4 groups of negative conversion ratio of the modified Kupperman index at the 4th, 8th and 12th week, respectively. The indexes of the MENQOL questionnaire showed significant differences in 4 groups before and after the treatment. The overall efficacy rate of the comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy in women with perimenopausal syndrome achieved 97.84% at the 8th and the 12th week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy can achieve significant improvements in women with perimenopausal syndrome who exhibit both physical and psychological symptoms. With such significant clinical effects, the comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine therapy should be promoted in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; E-mail: singasong61@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lin-Yi
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Ying-Chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shan-di
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal