Effect of acupressure on prostaglandin F2α in primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial
Effect of acupressure on prostaglandin F2α in primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial ,
Awad, Mohamed A., Khowailed Esraa A., Gabr Amir A., Zahran Magda Ramadan, and Osman Doaa A.
, Fizjoterapia Polska, Volume 20, Issue 4, p.168-173, (2020)
AbstractObjectives. It is well documented that acupressure has a beneficial effect on reducing pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea; however, none of the previous studies had investigated the effect of acupressure on prostaglandin levels in females with primary dysmenorrhea. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods. A total of 50 adult females with primary dysmenorrhea participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 19 to 27 years and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 20 to 25 kg/m2. They were randomized into 2 equal groups. Group (A) received nutritional modification for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, while group (B) received the same nutritional modification in addition to acupressure at the liver point (LIV3) for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. The primary outcome was plasma levels of PGF2α while the secondary outcome was short form of McGill pain questionnaire. The outcome measures were evaluated pre- and post- treatment.
Results. Comparing both groups post-treatment revealed that there were significant reductions in PGF2α levels and short form of McGill pain questionnaire scores (p < 0.0001) in favour of group (B).
Conclusions. Acupressure is effective in treating females with primary dysmenorrhea through reducing levels of PGF2α and scores of short form of McGill pain questionnaire.
Key words:
acupressure, prostaglandin F2α, short form of McGill pain questionnaire, primary dysmenorrhea
