[Time-effect study on instant analgesic effect of the dragon-tiger fighting needling method on primary dysmenorrhea].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the clinical analgesic efficacy and the relation between clinical analgesic effect and duration of effect of two acupuncture methods of Longhu Jiaozhan (fight of dragon and tiger, an acupuncture reinforcing and reducing manipulation characterized with nine counterclockwise and six clockwise rotations) and even manipulations.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into an observation group (32 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The observation group was applied with Longhu Jiaozhan manipulation, while the control group was applied with even manipulation. Acupuncture treatment was given on both of the groups since onset of the pain. The score of the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the 2 groups was observed at different times. And 8 VAS values were recorded at the point right before acupuncture, needle remaining of 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min as well as and 30 min, 60 min, 120 min after needle withdrawal. Comparison was made on differences between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
Comparison with the same group before acupuncture showed that the VAS difference of the time from needling remaining of 5 min to 120 min after acupuncture were all with statistic significance (all P<0. 01). The score of VAS of needle remaining for 20 min and 30 min of the observation group was without significant difference (P>0. 05). The score of VAS value of needle remaining for 20 min and 30 min of the control group was with significant difference (P<0. 01). Comparison of the VAS scores before the treatment and the scores of the 2nd menstrual cycle were found with significant difference (P<0. 01). The VAS score of 2nd menstrual cycle was (28. 73 +/- 16. 15) in the observation group, which was better than (46. 93+/-12. 18) in the control group (P<0. 001). Comparison of the VAS score of the two groups at 5 min r emaining of the needle was without statistic significance between two groups (P>0. 05). However, the VAS impairment magnitude difference at that moment was with statistic significance (P<0.01). From the time of needle remaining for 10 min, 20 min, 30 min until 120 min after needling, the differences of the VAS scores and impairment range were all with statistic significance (all P<0. 01). The effects of the two acupuncture techniques could both be maintained up to 2 hours after needling.


CONCLUSIONS
Both methods of acupuncture have immediate and long-term analgesic effect in a certain degree on primary dysmenorrhea. However, compared with the control group, the advantage of analgesic effect in the observation group is significantly superior. 20 min needling remaining can reach the best analgesic effect.
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China. hypcdutcm@yeah.net
Huyou-Ping
Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Changzheng Hospital of Langfang City of Hebei Province, China.
Xue
X
Zhang
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Lei-Xiao
LX
Zhang
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Jia
J
Wu
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Zhen
Z
Wang
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Xiao-Fei
XF
Jia
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Yu
Y
Tang
College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
Ru-ting
RT
Hui
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000295:instrumentation; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult