title: [Efficacy comparison of menopausal irritability between acupuncture and medication: a randomized controlled trial].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the differences in the clinical efficacy on menopausal irritability between acupuncture and medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty cases of menopausal irritability were randomized into an acupuncture group (31 cases) and a medication group (29 cases). In the acupuncture group, the warming needling manipulation was applied at the key acupoints such as Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), once a day, 10 treatments made one session. Totally, 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, 2.5 mg diazepam tablets were prescribed, three times a day, for 23 days totally. The clinical efficacy, the modified Kupperman score and self-rated health measurement scale (SRHMS) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS The total effective rate was 87. 1% (27/31) in the acupuncture group and 82.8% (24/29) in the medication group. The difference in the clinical efficacy was not significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). The modified Kupperman score and SRHMS score were both reduced obviously after treatment in the two groups, indicating the significant difference (all P < 0.05). The reduction of two scores in the acupuncture group was more obvious than those in the medication group (Kupperman: 15.23 +/- 6.19 vs 18.45 +/- 5.37; SRHMS: 116.29 +/- 38.24 vs 140.34 +/- 42.15, both P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acupuncture and medication are effective in the treatment of menopausal irritability, but the efficacy of warming needling manipulation is better than that of diazepam tablets.
authors.forename: Suo-Tang
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kou
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam