Abstract
Study Objective
To assess feasibility, and collect preliminary data for a subsequent randomized, sham-controlled
trial to evaluate Japanese-style acupuncture for reducing chronic pelvic pain and
improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with endometriosis.
Design
Randomized, sham-controlled trial.
Settings
Tertiary-referral hospital.
Participants
Eighteen young women (13–22y) with laparoscopically-diagnosed endometriosis-related
chronic pelvic pain.
Interventions
A Japanese style of acupuncture and a sham acupuncture control. Sixteen treatments
were administered over 8 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures
Protocol feasibility, recruitment numbers, pain not associated with menses or intercourse,
and multiple HRQOL instruments including Endometriosis Health Profile, Pediatric Quality
of Life, Perceived Stress, and Activity Limitation.
Results
Fourteen participants (out of 18 randomized) completed the study per protocol. Participants
in the active acupuncture group (n = 9) experienced an average 4.8 (SD = 2.4) point
reduction on a 11 point scale (62%) in pain after 4 weeks, which differed significantly
from the control group's (n = 5) average reduction of 1.4 (SD = 2.1) points (P = 0.004). Reduction in pain in the active group persisted through a 6-month assessment;
however, after 4 weeks, differences between the active and control group decreased
and were not statistically significant. All HRQOL measures indicated greater improvements
in the active acupuncture group compared to the control; however, the majority of
these trends were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusion
Preliminary estimates indicate that Japanese-style acupuncture may be an effective,
safe, and well-tolerated adjunct therapy for endometriosis-related pelvic pain in
adolescents. A more definitive trial evaluating Japanese-style acupuncture in this
population is both feasible and warranted.
Key Words
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© 2008 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
