Acupuncture for endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Nora Giese, Ki Kyung Kwon, Mike Armour
2023
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10682677/
Background
Current endometriosis treatments do not always provide symptom relief, with many using complementary approaches. This study examined the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in people with endometriosis.
Methods
Six studies involving a total of 331 participants were included. Evidence for benefit was found for acupuncture compared to non-specific acupuncture on overall pelvic pain (g = 1.54, 95 % CI 0.92 to 2.16, 3 RCTs, n = 231, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), menstrual pain (g = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.23 to 2.12, 1 RCT, n = 106, moderate certainty evidence, p<0.001), and non-specified pelvic pain (MD -2.77, 95 % CI 2.15 to 3.38, 2 RCTs, n = 125, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), and compared to usual care on menstrual pain (g = 0.9, 95 % CI 0.15 to 1.64, 1 RCT, n = 19, very low certainty evidence, p = 0.02). Most studies reported low rates of adverse events.
Results
Six studies involving a total of 331 participants were included. Evidence for benefit was found for acupuncture compared to non-specific acupuncture on overall pelvic pain (g = 1.54, 95 % CI 0.92 to 2.16, 3 RCTs, n = 231, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), menstrual pain (g = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.23 to 2.12, 1 RCT, n = 106, moderate certainty evidence, p<0.001), and non-specified pelvic pain (MD -2.77, 95 % CI 2.15 to 3.38, 2 RCTs, n = 125, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), and compared to usual care on menstrual pain (g = 0.9, 95 % CI 0.15 to 1.64, 1 RCT, n = 19, very low certainty evidence, p = 0.02). Most studies reported low rates of adverse events.
Conclusion
Acupuncture treatment for endometriosis demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in pelvic pain and should be considered as a potential treatment intervention.