Dry needling for menstrual pain relief

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical study investigates the effectiveness of dry needling therapy targeting myofascial trigger points in treating primary dysmenorrhea, a common menstrual pain condition in young women. It employs a randomized, single-blind design with 150 participants aged 18 to 30, divided into three groups: one receiving trigger point dry needling, another receiving traditional acupuncture, and a placebo group. The study aims to evaluate pain relief, quality of life, and potential mechanisms of action, including inflammatory factors and uterine blood flow. It also explores the relationship between trigger point theory and acupuncture principles.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All participants diagnosed explicitly by a gynecologist as having primary dysmenorrhea without pelvic organic lesions.
2. Aged between 18 and 30 years.
3. A history of cyclical menstrual pain for more than 2 years.
4. Pain greater than 30mm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-100mm).
5. Participants must sign an informed consent form and be willing to undergo acupuncture treatment and cooperate to complete the relevant procedures of this trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Those suffering from secondary dysmenorrhea or any other reproductive and urinary system diseases, such as endometriosis.
2. A history of pregnancy, miscarriage, or planning for pregnancy. Individuals with skin infections on the abdomen and lower back.
3. Past use of acupuncture therapy or other needling treatments.
4. Those with a history of mental illness and severe diseases of the heart, liver, brain, kidneys, hematopoietic system, etc.
5. Within the past 6 months, individuals referred to pain clinics, those who have used pain relievers like morphine or pethidine, or those allergic to NSAIDs. Also, those currently taking or receiving anticoagulant medications.
6. Individuals who have had adverse reactions to acupuncture (e.g., fainting).

Where it's running

• Yanxia Sun
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
• Yanxia Sun
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Yanxia Sun — Beijing Hospital
• Study coordinator: Yanxia Sun
• Email: sun00017@gmail.com
• Phone: +8613611389939

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.