The Efficacy of ACupuncture On Menopausal Symptoms (ACOM)

Summary

As a natural part of the menopause the ovaries production of sex hormones declines. This can lead to different menopausal related symptoms. About two-thirds of postmenopausal women experience hot flushes and 10-20% find these hot flushes very stressful.

The aim of this study is to determine and evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on menopausal symptoms; in particular hot flushes. The study will be a randomized controlled trial. Primary outcome is change in hot flushes. Secondary outcome is change in other menopausal related symptoms.

Conditions

• Menopause

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Acupuncture

Acupuncture style; Western Medical Acupuncture (WMA). In WMA all types of sham (placebo) acupuncture are believed to produce a certain amount of sensory stimulation and thereby a possible therapeutic effect. In addition, other studies have shown that sham acupuncture is associated with a moderately large nonspecific effect and compared to other inert placebo intervention the effect associated with sham acupuncture might be larger. Thus we use a control group instead of a placebo group. Needles; sterile disposable needles (Plandent) size 0.30x30mm. The needles will be inserted perpendicularly and rotated manual between finger and thumb for a few seconds to elicit "de-qi". Needle retention time will be 10 minutes. Afterward the needle will be removed. Acupuncture points; CV-3, CV-4, LR-8, SP-6, SP-9. In total 8 points as LR-8, SP-6, SP-9 are given bilaterally.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Section of General Practice, University of Copenhagen

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Research Unit Of General Practice, Copenhagen

  collaborator OTHER

• Danish Society for Evidence Based Acupuncture (DSEA)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Idella Foundation

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Southern Denmark

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Copenhagen

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kamma S Lund, MD · Section of General Practice

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-10-31

Primary Completion

2017-03-31

Completion

2017-07-31

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations