[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) for primary dysmenorrhea at different time].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the best treatment opportunity of acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) for treating primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Eighty cases with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into an acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) in the premenstrual period group (group A, n = 20), an acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) when pain occurs group (group B, n = 20) and a blank group (group C, n = 40). Both of acupuncture groups were treated and followed up for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, respectively. The therapeutic effects were compared by use of the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in CMSS between the two acupuncture groups during each course and the follow-up period (all P > 0.05), but the CMSS in the two acupuncture groups were all obviously lower than those in the blank group during the same period (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) has certain therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea either in the premenstrual period or when pain occurs and there is no significant difference in acupuncture at different time.