Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Primary Dysmenorrhea for Female High School Students in South Korea

Acupuncture in Pediatrics: A Scoping Review

Background: The use of acupuncture for common pediatric conditions continues to grow in the United States. Six previous reviews have summarized the research; however, approximately 8 years have accumulated adding to this growing body of literature. Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide a scoping review of acupuncture research in pediatric conditions and a summary of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the pediatric population. Methods: A systematic search was performed to identify clinical trials and reviews published between August 2015 and October 2023. Trials and reviews were excluded if they were not: (1) acupuncture specific, (2) data limited to pediatric patients, and (3) published in English. The literature was assessed and synthesized into a scoping review and commentary. Results: Seventy-one publications were identified (42 clinical trials and 29 reviews) that represented 17 conditions and 10 countries; the top 2 were China and the United States. The top five areas of new research (based on numbers of clinical trials) are pain, cerebral palsy (CP), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: Clinical trials in pediatric acupuncture represent a small but important subset of acupuncture literature. Data are positive for postoperative nausea and vomiting and promising for CP, nocturnal enuresis, perioperative pain, procedural pain, and tic disorders. Several factors preclude additional firm conclusions from being drawn, including a limited number of trials, small sample size (n < 100) of the majority of randomized controlled trials (78.6%), and heterogeneity of treatment approaches. Continued research on the use of acupuncture for pediatric conditions is warranted, particularly in conditions demonstrating recent promising evidence.

Auricular acupoint therapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Introduction

This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupoint therapy (AAT) for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

Methods

We conducted a thorough search across eight databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM. The search covered the period from the inception of each database up to June 30, 2024. The authors independently reviewed all the references, evaluated the risk of bias, and extracted the data. GRADEpro software was utilized to calculate overall strength of evidence. A random effects or fixed effects model was selected on the basis of the p-value and I2 . RevMan 5.3, Stata/MP 18.0, R 4.3.1 and R Studio 2023.09.0 were used for data processing. TSA 0.9.5.10 beta software was used to evaluate data stability.

Results

The review included 19 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,681 patients (895 in the treatment group and 886 in the control group). The treatment duration ranged from 2-12 weeks. The meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the control, AAT was significantly more effective at treating FGIDs (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21-1.51; p < 0.001), reducing the symptom score (MD: -1.94; 95% CI: -3.06 to -0.85; p < 0.001; five trials), improving the SAS score (MD: -12.47; 95% CI: -13.92 to -11.01; p < 0.001; five trials), and improving the SDS score (MD: -4.97; 95% CI: -9.23 to -0.72; p = 0.02; six trials). A total of two articles mentioned relatively significant adverse reactions (MD: 2.98; 95% CI: 0.51-17.26; p = 0.009). Sensitivity and trial sequential analyses confirmed the stability of these results.

Discussion

While our meta-analysis suggests that AAT may offer benefits for FGIDs, these results must be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations in the included trials. Further investigations in high-quality trials are warranted.

Systematic review registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier CRD42024558786.

Efficacy and Safety of Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background

This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to explore the impact of Non-pharmacological therapies (NPT) on alleviating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) symptoms and assess the effectiveness differences among various NPT.

Methods

We searched seven databases and summarized clinical trials of PD treated with NPT from inception to September 6, 2023. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of PD treated with NPT. The outcomes were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Cox menstrual symptom scale (CMSS), and response rate. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed by RevMan (5.4), Stata (15.0), and WinBUGS (1.4.3). The ranking probabilities for all treatment interventions were performed using the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA).

Results

A total of 16 RCTs were finally included, involving 8 kinds of NPT. Results of pairwise meta-analyses: For the VAS score results, moxibustion (SMD: -0.591,95% CI: -0.916, -0.266) was more effective than acupuncture, acupuncture (SMD: -0.948,95% CI: -1.853, -0.044) was more effective than placebo, and yoga (SMD: 2.634,95% CI: -4.28, -0.988) was more effective than the blank control. NMA results: Compared to the blank control, acupuncture (SMD: -4.81; 95% CI: -6.63, -3.00), auricular point therapy (SMD: -4.36; 95% CI: -7.18, -1.60), yoga (SMD: -2.12; 95% CI: -3.13, -1.09), moxibustion (SMD:5.54; 95% CI: 3.33, 7.68), and placebo (SMD: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.03, 5.27) proved to be a superior reduction in VAS. The use of acupressure (SMD: 2.49; 95% CI: 0.03, 5.03), moxibustion (SMD: -2.45; 95% CI: -4.06, -0.71), and acupuncture (SMD: -1.72; 95% CI: -2.75, -0.56) demonstrated a greater decrease in VAS efficacy than placebo. The consolidated ranking outcomes indicate that moxibustion, acupuncture, and auricular acupoint therapy occupy high SUCRA positions across various outcome metrics.

Conclusion

Acupuncture, moxibustion and auricular point may be the best treatment for PD. In the future, more trials are needed to obtain higher-quality evidence and the best protocols.

The prevalence and associated risk factors of primary dysmenorrhea among women in Beijing: a cross-sectional study

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common and troublesome gynecological condition. The disease seriously affects the daily life of young and middle-aged women and is a major public health problem. The aim of the research was to conduct an assessment of the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors in Beijing area, and to describe and compare the association between different lifestyles and the degree of dysmenorrhea. We conducted a cross-sectional study at Peking University People's Hospital in the form of an online questionnaire. Out of the total of 516 women who took part in the study, 450 were included in the analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 39 questions that were grouped into three parts. The first concerned characteristics of the study subjects such as age, weight and qualifications. The second part of the questionnaire pertained to the menstruation-related conditions, such as age at menarche, knowledge of menstruation, menstrual cycle, menstrual period, menstrual flow, and so on. In the third part, the women were asked about their lifestyle habits and emotional factors. Dysmenorrhea affected 86.4% of the interviewed women. Significant factors associated with dysmenorrhea were age of menarche (p < 0.001), body mass index (p = 0.023), smoking (p ˂0.001), eating sweet foods frequently (p = 0.042), sedentary time (p = 0.037) and self-esteem (p = 0.043). Chi-square test further found a statistically significant correlation between BMI (p = 0.032), alcohol consumption (p = 0.046), sleep duration (p = 0.006) and the severity of dysmenorrhea. This study shows that the prevalence of dysmenorrhea is high enough for medical workers and public health administrators to pay attention to it. Women with dysmenorrhea were characterized with a family history of dysmenorrhea, early age of menarche, frequent smoking, eating sweet foods frequently, sedentary time, abnormal BMI and low self-esteem. We suggest that it is necessary to pay attention to the related factors of dysmenorrhea.

Acupressure intervention for children: A scoping review

Background

Acupressure is a popular form of complementary nursing among adults. It stimulates the body's self-healing processes by enhancing energy flow, or "chi," along meridian channels. Acupressure can address many health issues and is also used on children because it is painless and straightforward. Although acupressure has existed for centuries, research on its applications for children remains limited.

Objective

This review aimed to categorize and synthesize the research conducted over 30 years on acupressure in children.

Design

A scoping review.

Data Source

The databases searched were PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Medline EBSCO, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were original peer-reviewed articles in English or Indonesian that used acupressure as an intervention for children in any setting from 1991 until March 2022 and were updated until March 2024.

Review Methods

This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual Methodologies. Subsequently, the retrieved articles were imported into the EndNote program version 20. Based on the identification results, 2924 articles were obtained, and 76 articles were retained. The review decision process was depicted in a PRISMA flow diagram.

Results

Of the 76 articles, 72% came from the Asian continent, 66% were published within the past ten years, and 59% were randomized controlled trials. Acupressure was most used (48%) by school-age children (7-12 years), with commonly targeted points being Neiguan (P6), Zusanli (ST36), Hegu (LI4), Yintang (Extra1), and auricular acupoints. Acupressure on children can be administered by acupuncturists, nurses, doctors, caregivers, and parents, offering six main benefits: alleviating nausea and vomiting, relieving pain, decreasing anxiety, relieving fatigue, increasing visual function, and increasing weight and height.

Conclusion

Acupressure offers numerous advantages for children with various conditions. Healthcare and nursing professionals should consider using it as a complementary intervention to address issues and problems in healthy and sick children. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness.

The effects of acupressure on post-dressing pain in burn patients: A clinical randomized trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Burns often cause severe pain, especially during dressing changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on pain during dressing changes in burn patients.

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 76 burn patients. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups after obtaining informed consent. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups by blocking. The study was conducted over two days using the same method. Before entering the dressing room, acupressure was performed in the intervention group for 10 min in acupressure points and the control group in other points. Pain intensity was measured in two groups 30 min before entering the dressing room and 15 and 30 min after leaving the dressing room using VAS. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software 25th edition.

RESULTS

Pain scores were similar for the two groups before the dressing change. The results of this study revealed a significant decrease in the patient's pain intensity mean in the test group following acupressure compared to the control group on day one which remained on day two (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Considering the experience of severe pain in burn patients, acupressure is recommended as a complementary method along with modern medicine to reduce these patients' pains.

Auricular Acupuncture Prior to Menstruation Can Reduce Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that impacts quality of life significantly. Auricular therapies have shown promise for treating primary dysmenorrhea, but there is a lack of evidence specifically for auricular acupuncture (AA). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of AA for managing primary dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods

A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial was conducted on 90 females with primary dysmenorrhea: an AA group; n = 45) and a sham-AA (SA) group; n = 45. Specific ear acupoints (i.e., Uterus, Endocrine, Shenmen, Subcortex, Liver, and Kidney) were used for the intervention, which was 1 or 2 days prior to the expected menstruation onset. Outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, ibuprofen needs, and adverse events (AEs).

Results

The AA group had significantly lower VAS scores, compared to the SA group at menstruation onset and for up to 12 hours (mean differences [MDs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: -1.08 [-1.96, -0.21] and -1.17 [-2.16, -0.18], respectively). Both groups had reductions in pain levels, compared to the prior menstrual cycle; the AA group had a significantly greater improvement. The AA group needed fewer ibuprofen tablets (MD: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.58, 0.00]). AEs were mild pain and irritation at insertion sites, all resolved spontaneously with no lasting effects.

Conclusions

AA is safe. It may be effective for managing primary dysmenorrhea. Further studies are warranted on AA's effectiveness in diverse populations and extended times.

Effectiveness of auricular acupoint therapy targeting menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a global public health concern affecting women's health and quality of life, leading to productivity loss and increased medical expenses. As a non-pharmacological intervention, auricular acupoint therapy (AAT) has been increasingly applied to treat PD, but the overall effectiveness remains unclear.

AIMS

The aim of this review was to synthesize the effects of AAT targeting menstrual pain among females with PD.

METHODS

Eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) and three registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN Registry and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) were searched to identify existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 21 August 2022. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted the data, and appraised the methodological quality and the evidence strength using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

A total of 793 participants from 11 RCTs were included. Despite substantial heterogeneity, AAT was more effective in reducing menstrual pain and related symptoms than placebo and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). No significant subgroup differences were found between study locations as well as invasiveness, duration, type, acupoints number, ear selection and provider of AAT. Only minor adverse effects of AAT were reported.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

AAT can help women with PD, particularly those who are refrained from pharmaceuticals. Primary healthcare professionals, including nurses, can be well-equipped to provide evidence-based and effective AAT for people with PD. AAT can be used in a broader global clinical community. To provide an optimal effect and have wider usability, a unified practice standard is required, which would necessitate further adaptation of clinical care of people with PD. AAT effectively decreased menstrual pain and other accompanying symptoms of PD. More research is needed to identify effective AAT features and explore optimal therapy regimes for PD.

Clinical Observation on Auricular Acupressure for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate the immediate and time-dependent effects of AA in treating PD and assess its safety.

Methods/Design

This study is a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial that will enroll 92 patients in a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients will be assigned to either the treatment group (n=46) or the control group (n=46). During the first menstrual period, the treatment group will receive AA treatment, while the control group will receive sham AA treatment for 7 days. The second menstrual period will serve as the follow-up period. The primary outcome measure is the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score 30 min after the first treatment. Secondary outcome measures include the VAS score immediately after the first treatment, onset time of analgesic effect, duration of pain, extra dosing rate of ibuprofen, and change of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) score. The outcomes will be assessed at baseline, during the intervention period, and during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The study results will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of AA in managing PD by analyzing its immediate effect, time-effect relationship, and reduction of painkiller use.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300069741).

Heart rate variability during auricular acupressure at the left sympathetic point on healthy volunteers: a pilot study

Introduction

This research is a pilot, single-blinded study investigating heart rate variability (HRV) during auricular acupressure at the left sympathetic point (AH7) in healthy volunteers.

Methods

There were 120 healthy volunteers with hemodynamic indexes (heart rate, blood pressure) within normal ranges, randomly divided into two groups AG and SG (in each group having a gender ratio 1:1, aged 20-29), to receive either auricular acupressure using ear seed (AG) or sham method using adhesive patches without seed (SG) at the left sympathetic point while lying in a supine position. Acupressure intervention lasted 25 min, and HRV was recorded by a photoplethysmography device-namely, Kyto HRM-2511B and Elite appliance.

Results

Auricular acupressure at the left Sympathetic point (AG) led to a significant reduction in heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05) and a considerable increase in HRV parameters demonstrated by HF (High-frequency power) (p < 0.05), compared to sham auricular acupressure (SG). However, no significant changes in LF (Low-frequency power) and RR (Respiratory rate) (p > 0.05) were observed in both groups during the process.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that auricular acupressure at the left sympathetic point may activate the parasympathetic nervous system while a healthy person is lying relaxed.

Effects of auricular acupressure on dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Auricular acupressure (AA) is widely used in treatment of dysmenorrhea, but the safety and efficacy of auricular acupressure on dysmenorrhoea are still lack of evidence-based basis.

Objective

The purpose of meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on dysmenorrhea.

Data sources

A systematic search was conducted in six electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CINAHL), Weipu (CQVIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases, to retrieve studies published from the inception dates to June 10, 2022.

Study selection

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness of AA on dysmenorrhea were identified.

Data extraction and synthesis

The data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies were performed by two reviewers independently. Outcomes were abstracted to determine the effect measure by using mean differences (MD), standardized mean differences (SMD), or odds ratio (OR) from a random effects model.

Main outcomes and measures

Cure rate, total effective rate, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were described as primary outcomes; Short-form Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQs), symptom scores, serum nitric oxide (NO) level, and adverse events were recorded as secondary outcomes.

Results

Thirty-five RCTs involving 3960 participants were included in this study. Our findings indicated that, overall, AA was associated with a significant benefit in cured rate (OR = 1.95, 95%CI: [1.34, 2.83], P=0.0004, I2 = 75%), total effective rate (OR = 3.58, 95%CI: [2.92, 4.39], P<0.00001, I2 = 67%), VAS score (MD = -1.45, 95%CI: [-1.73, -1.17], P<0.00001, I2 = 67%), and symptom scores compared to the control group (SMD = -0.85, 95%CI: [-1.28, -0.43], P<0.0001, I2 = 91%). However, no difference in serum NO (SMD = 0.77, 95%CI: [-0.39, 1.92], P = 0.19, I2 = 89%) and MDQs (SMD = -0.58, 95%CI: [-1.26, 0.10], P = 0.10, I2 = 79%) was found between the two groups. Furthermore, subgroup analysis results indicated that AA showed significant superiorities in increasing cured rate and total effective rate, and reducing VAS score and symptom scores when compared to analgesics and non-intervention. Moreover, AA presented the same superiorities when used as an adjunctive strategy to other therapy. However, these benefits were not detected in AA used alone when compared to the therapies, including Chinese herbs, acupuncture, external application of Chineseherbal medicine, moxibustion, auricular needle, and health education.

Conclusions

Overall, AA, as a potential safety therapy, is effective for the management of dysmenorrhea, such as increasing cured rate, total effective rate, VAS, and symptom scores. Nevertheless, AA showed no significant improvement in serum NO and MDQs. It is furtherly found that AA used alone is superior to analgesics and non-intervention regarding cured rate, total effective rate, VAS, and symptom scores. Furthermore, the same superiorities are observed when AA serves as an adjunctive strategy to other therapy. However, AA alone has little effect on them compared to other therapies, and there is no definite conclusion on the benefits of AA compared to placebo for patients with dysmenorrhea. Rigorous RCTs with blind method and placebo control are warranted to confirm these findings.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022338524.

The effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupressure on pain management during labor.

METHODS

Six English and three Chinese electronic databases were comprehensively searched from inception to 6 November 2021. The PRISMA checklist was followed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Heterogeneity between studies was calculated using I² .

RESULTS

Five studies comprising 312 participants were included. The labor pain scores of the auricular acupressure group were significantly lower than those of the usual care group at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm, with mean differences (95% confidence intervals) of -1.05 (-1.41, -0.69), -1.44 (-2.07, -0.82), and -1.96 (-3.30, -0.61), respectively. Auricular acupressure can thus effectively improve the labor pain perception at cervix dilations of 6, 8, and 10 cm. Moreover, auricular acupressure shortened the active phase, and had the trend of shortening the second and third stages of labor. There was no evidence that auricular acupressure had an effect on the rate of cesarean section or the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores.

CONCLUSION

Effective labor pain relief, better labor pain perception, and the lack of adverse effects support the use of auricular acupressure. More high-quality and rigorous trials are needed to verify our findings before we can make strong recommendations.

Efficacy of auricular plaster therapy for sleep disorders in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) suffer from sleep disorders to a considerable degree; however, there is no safe and effective treatment available in clinical practice. The objective of the trial is to assess the clinical effectiveness of auricular plaster therapy (APT) in treating sleep disorders in children with ASD.

Method

This is a single-center, patient-assessor blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 44 preschool children with sleep disorders with ASD will be included in this study. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the auricular plaster group or the sham auricular plaster group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the different groups will receive APT or sham APT, respectively, for a total of 30 sessions over 30 days. The primary outcome includes the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), while secondary outcomes include the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and polysomnography (PSG) for total sleep time, sleep latency, awakening duration, and sleep structures. The CSHQ and ABC will be assessed at baseline, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after randomization, whereas PSG will be assessed at baseline and 30 days after randomization. The follow-up period will be scheduled to be 60, 90, and 120 days after randomization.

Discussion

The results of this study may provide evidence of the efficacy of APT, as well as offer new alternatives for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with ASD.

Trial registration

CHiCTR.org.cn (ChiCTR2100048257). Registered on July 5, 2021.

Analysis of Healthcare Utilization for Primary Dysmenorrhea in Korea: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study aiming to present basic data on the treatment modalities and cost of care for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) by analyzing healthcare utilization and patient distributions using the 2010 to 2018 Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data.

Patients and Methods

We used the HIRA-National Patient Sample (NPS) data to analyze medical service utilization for PD (ICD-10 code: N94.4, N94.6) in Western medicine (WM) or Korean medicine (KM) care between January 2010 and December 2018.

Results

There were 41,139 patients diagnosed with PD who utilized Western medicine (WM) or Korean medicine (KM) care at least once during the study period. The number of claims and patients steadily rose over the years from 7430 claims for 3989 patients in 2010 to 11,523 claims for 6226 patients in 2018. The predominant age group was 15 to 24 years. Regarding the frequency of service categories for PD in the claims, consultation was the most common and costly service category in WM (72,120 cases, 47.89%; 631,912 USD, 69.74%), while injection and analogous treatments was the most common and costly service category in KM (97,157 cases, 72.41%; 314,696 USD, 55.86%). Regarding the drug prescriptions, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (26,617 cases, 40.47%) were the most frequently prescribed drug for PD in pharmacies and hospitals.

Conclusion

The result shows an annual increase in healthcare utilization for PD with the fastest rate in individuals aged 15 to 24 years. This study provides data on the current utilization of WM and KM care for PD for policymakers. Furthermore, we analyzed the frequency and cost of common treatment modalities in WM and KM, which would be useful data for clinicians and researchers.

Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Acute Pain in Nursing Home Residents with Mild Dementia: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study

Introduction

Acute pain is a prevalent problem for dementia residents in nursing homes. A variety of intervention strategies have been applied to address this problem. However, there remains an issue of inadequate pain control. This study aims to explore the analgesic efficacy of auricular acupressure (AA) for dementia residents with acute pain in nursing homes.

Methods

A multicenter, single-blind, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial was performed in three nursing homes in Yinchuan, China. All of the 206 eligible patients with acute pain were randomly divided into two groups for real AA therapy or sham AA (at sham point stimulation) therapy. The primary outcome was measured with a face pain scale revised (FPS-R) score before the procedure, 5 min after the start of the intervention, and 5 min after finishing the procedure. Secondary outcomes covered three physiological parameters, adverse reactions observed, satisfaction level of caregivers, acceptance of patients, and additional use of analgesics.

Results

There was a significant difference in pain scores based on FPS-R between the two groups (p < 0.01). Pain score in the true AA group was 1.84 ± 0.23, compared with 2.22 ± 0.81 in the sham AA group. No adverse events were found during the whole procedure for all patients. The satisfaction level of caregivers and acceptance of patients in the real AA group were significantly higher than those in the sham AA group.

Conclusion

This study shows that real AA was an alternative analgesic modality in reducing acute pain in patients with mild dementia.

Combined effects of acupuncture and auricular acupressure for relieving cancer-related fatigue in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasing attention has been paid to acupuncture and auricular acupressure as alternative strategies for cancer related fatigue (CRF) management. Therefore, we design this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and auricular acupressure for relieving CRF in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy.

METHODS

From the inception to August 2021, the Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched using the key phrases "acupuncture", "auricular acupressure", and "lung cancer" for all relevant trials. Trials that compared acupuncture (including electroacupuncture) and auricular acupressure with acupuncture alone were included. The primary outcome was the measurement of the CRF symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were physical activity, quality of life, and adverse events. A P value of <.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

It will be the first such study and will obtain evidence for utilizing acupuncture and auricular acupressure for lung cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

Combined acupuncture and auricular acupressure may be effective for relieving CRF in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy.

Kinesio Taping vs. Auricular Acupressure for the Personalised Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Dysmenorrhoea is the medical term for menstrual pain. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 81% of women of childbearing age are affected by this condition, and it is one of the leading causes of absenteeism from work and school among women. Although there are pharmacological treatments available for menstrual-pain relief, they do not respond to all women's needs. Therefore, there is a need to study and develop non-pharmacological alternatives to broaden the individualised treatment options for dysmenorrhea. There are scarce studies published on non-pharmacological treatments, such as kinesio tape and auricular acupressure for the relief of menstrual pain, but the scientific evidence available suggest that these techniques may be beneficial in addressing this problem. The objective of this pilot study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of kinesio tape and auricular acupressure to decrease pain and drug intake in women with primary dysmenorrhoea.

METHODS

This was a double-blind randomized clinical controlled trial. The period of study was from September 2017 to August 2018. Women enrolled in the University of Extremadura and who had primary dysmenorrhoea were randomized to five groups: control (n = 23), kinesio tape (n = 23), placebo kinesio tape (n = 23), auricular acupressure (n = 23) and placebo auricular acupressure (n = 22). Measures were taken during the pretreatment phase (at four menstrual cycles), during the post-intervention phase (at four menstrual cycles) and during the follow-up phase (at the first and third menstrual cycles after the treatment was completed). The primary outcome measures were mean pain intensity, maximum pain intensity, number of painful days and dose of drug intake during menstruation, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale. The secondary outcome measures were the length of the cycle, the length of menstruation, the drug intake and the type of drug.

RESULTS

In all, 108 participants completed the study. The statistical analysis (MANOVA, ANOVA, t-paired and McNemar tests) showed that kinesio tape and auricular acupressure have a beneficial effect on pain relief (mean pain intensity, p < 0.001; maximum pain intensity, p < 0.001; number of painful days, p = 0.021; dose of drug intake, p < 0.001). In addition, once the treatments were withdrawn, the auricular-acupressure group maintained lower scores during the first follow-up cycle (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Kinesio tape and auricular acupressure decrease pain and drug intake in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. The changes in the auricular-acupressure group seemed to last longer. The results suggest that these techniques could be used as complementary personalised therapies to the pharmacological treatment and not as a substitution.

Auricular Therapy for Treating Phantom Limb Pain Accompanied by Jumping Residual Limb: A Short Review and Case Study

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common complaint among patients after amputation, while jumping residual limb is a rare post-amputation complication, they rarely happen at the same time and both remain difficult to manage. At present, there is a paucity of literature on this topic, and no treatment has been proven effective for treating both of them. In the present brief report, we described a patient who developed severe PLP accompanied by jumping residual limb after below-the-knee amputation and she was treated by auricular therapy (AT) with satisfactory effect.

Integrating Lifestyle Focused Approaches into the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: Impact on Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review aims to identify alternative ways to improve the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

BACKGROUND

PD refers to endometrial painful cramps during the premenstrual period. This condition affects a lot of women worldwide and is accompanied with absenteeism and high economic costs, thus, risk-free, and effective therapeutic approaches are needed. Pharmacological agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), which are widely prescribed for these women, demonstrate adequate efficacy in alleviating pain and discomfort. The long natural course of the disease dictates remedies that focus on lifestyle changes and on improvement of Quality-of-Life (QoL) for women suffering with PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five major search engines, namely MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published prior to October 2020 focused in PD. A total of 74 paper were included.

DISCUSSION

Physical activity, for instance yoga, aromatherapy massage, and other forms of relaxation, vitamins and dietary changes, acupressure and acupuncture,a and some psychological interventions are just few of the proposed health behavior targeted approaches in cases of PD. This review focuses on lifestyle changes and alternative methods that could potentially result in minimizing symptoms of PD and in improving overall QoL for these patients, by providing current scientific evidence on their efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Complementary and alternative medicine practices (CAM) are widely accepted by women. International literature provides controversial scientific evidence, thus further studies need to be conducted in order to prove or disregard their efficacy in cases of PD.

The effects of health belief model-based education and acupressure for coping with premenstrual syndrome on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life: A randomized-controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effects of health belief model-based education and acupressure for coping with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample size was identified as 163 women. While the acupressure education group-administered education and acupressure, the education group-administered only education. No intervention made to the control group.

FINDINGS

There was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest total mean scores of the intervention groups compared with the control group (P < .001).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The education given to women for coping with PMS and acupressure both reduced premenstrual symptoms and improved quality of life.

Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea e crioterapia no tratamento de estudantes com dismenorreia primária: estudo piloto

Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos da Estimulação Elétrica Nervosa Transcutânea (TENS) e da crioterapia no alívio da sintomatologia dolorosa de estudantes com dismenorreia primária (DP). Métodos: Estudo transversal e quantitativo, com 20 mulheres universitárias aleatoriamente divididas em dois grupos: Grupo TENS (GT) cujas participantes foram submetidas a uma sessão de 45 min de TENS com frequência de 120 Hz e duração de pulso de 100 µs e Grupo Crioterapia (GC) cujas participantes foram submetidas a sessão de crioterapia por 20 min. Foram incluídas mulheres com ciclos menstruais regulares, nuligestas, sem relato de doença pélvica e com dismenorreia com nível de dor entre 4 e 10 durante os três primeiros dias de menstruação. Foram excluídas aquelas com contraindicação ao uso da TENS e crioterapia ou que fizeram uso de medicamentos até 24 h antes da intervenção. Foi registrado o nível de dor das participantes antes e logo depois da intervenção. Resultados: Foram avaliadas mulheres com idade variando entre 18 e 27 anos (média 22,8 ± 2,4 anos). Todas apresentaram além dos sintomas dolorosos algum outro sintoma associado, sendo os mais comuns diarreia e fadiga (80%, cada). O teste ANOVA two-way de medidas repetidas considerando como fatores grupo e avaliação, revelou efeito apenas para o fator avaliação (p < 0,001), não apresentando efeito para a interação grupo/avaliação (p = 0,09). Conclusão: TENS e crioterapia são recursos eficientes para o alívio dos sintomas álgicos de mulheres com DP, não havendo superioridade entre as abordagens.

Dysmenorrhea and Associated Factors among Polish Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

The aim of the research was to conduct an assessment of the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated factors among Polish women. Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Polish women using an online questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 23 ± 4 years. Out of the total of 1,317 women who took part in the study, 1,127 were included in the analysis, and 190 were excluded due to incomplete answers. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions that were grouped into three parts. The first concerned sociodemographic data such as age, weight, education, and residence (urban or rural). The second part of the questionnaire pertained to the factors of dysmenorrhea (premenstrual syndrome, age of menarche, and family history of dysmenorrhea.). In the third part, the women were asked about their diet, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and physical activity.

Results

Dysmenorrhea affected 94% of the interviewed women. Dysmenorrhea was most likely to occur among respondents whose mothers had a history of dysmenorrhea (p < 0.005). Significant relationship between the occurrence of dysmenorrhea among respondents and their sisters was also observed (p < 0.005). The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was significantly higher in women reporting dysmenorrhea (p < 0.005). Other significant factors associated with dysmenorrhea were age of menarche (p < 0.005), stress frequency (p=0.005), lack of physical activity (p=0.037), and self-esteem (p=0.042). However, in the respondents, no significant relationship was observed between dysmenorrhea and diet, smoking, body mass index, and alcohol intake.

Conclusion

The study points to the fact that the problem of dysmenorrhea affects many Polish women. Women with dysmenorrhea were characterized with a family history of dysmenorrhea, occurrence of PMS, early age of menarche, stressful lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and low self-esteem. We suggest that further assessment of factors contributing for dysmenorrhea among women is necessary.

The Effects of Auricular Therapy for Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of auricular therapy for cancer pain.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library databases, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, and CBM for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 275 screened studies, nine RCTs involving 783 patients with cancer pain were systematically reviewed. Compared with drug therapy, auricular therapy plus drug therapy has significant advantages both in the effective rate for pain relief (RR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.22, 1.60; P < 0.00001) and adverse effects rate (RR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.37, 0.58; P < 0.00001). And the result revealed that auricular acupuncture had superior pain-relieving effects as compared with sham auricular acupuncture (SMD = -1.45; 95% CI -2.80, -0.09; P=0.04). However, the analysis indicated no difference on the effective rate for pain relief between auricular therapy and drug therapy (RR = 1.24; 95% CI 0.71, 2.16; P=0.46).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated that auricular therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of cancer pain, and auricular therapy plus drug therapy is more effective than drug therapy alone, whether in terms of pain relief or adverse reactions. However, the included RCTs had some methodological limitations; future large, rigor, and high-quality RCTs are still needed to confirm the benefits of auricular therapy on cancer pain.

Effects of ear and body acupressure on labor pain and duration of labor active phase: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to compare the effects of multi-point ear and body acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor active phase.

DESIGN

Three-armed randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Kowsar Hospital, Qazvin, Iran.

INTERVENTION

Participants in the body acupressure group received acupressure on GB21, GB30, BL32, LI4, and SP6 points, each for two minutes, at cervical dilation of four, six, and eight centimeters. For participants in the ear acupressure group, adhesive auriculotherapy-specific Vaccaria seeds were attached to their auricles on the zero, genitalia, Shen Men, thalamic, and uterine 1 and 2 acupoints. The seeds were compressed every thirty minutes, each time for thirty seconds. Participants in the control group received routine care services.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Labor pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale at cervical dilation of four and ten centimeters.

RESULTS

While there was no significant difference between mean scores of pain among three groups, mean score of labor pain in both acupressure groups was significantly less than that in the control group (P < 0.001). However, the difference between the acupressure groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). Moreover, the duration of labor active phase in the ear acupressure group was significantly less than those in the body acupressure and the control groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Ear acupressure was significantly effective in reducing labor pain and shortening labor active phase. However, body acupressure solely reduces labor pain. Therefore, ear acupressure can be used to reduce labor pain and shorten labor active phase.

Correlations Between Auricular Tenderness and Symptoms in Korean Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between auricular tenderness and subjective symptoms. A descriptive correlational study design was followed, which was also the second analysis of a randomized controlled trial. This study was performed in the Republic of Korea from September 2013 to February 2017. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Constipation Assessment Scale, and the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale were used. One hundred thirty-three participants displayed ear tenderness, whereas 84 participants did not. Adults with auricular tenderness reported more symptoms, such as sputum, rhinitis, constipation, stress, mood swings, and depressive symptoms compared with adults without (with tenderness: 4.14 ± 2.94, without tenderness: 2.92 ± 2.45; t = 3.32, P = .001). Finally, auricular acupressure points were positively correlated with various symptoms such as sputum, constipation, nicotine addiction, stress, cough, and rhinitis. Auricular palpation could be used to detect a disease at an early stage.

The Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Sleep Disturbance Among Patients With Leukemia: A Feasibility Study

Auricular acupressure (AA) is widely used in East Asia and Europe to manage patients with sleep disturbance. This feasibility study was performed to demonstrate the potential of AA for sleep disturbance in patients with leukemia. Thirty-two patients with leukemia with poor sleep quality received AA 3 times a day for a total of 4 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality at baseline, at a 2-week intervention, and after a 4-week intervention. Compared with baseline scores, PSQI scores and the use of sleep medicine were significantly improved at week 2 and week 4 (P < .05). As a potential safety therapy, AA could be an alternative or complementary intervention to improve sleep quality for patients with leukemia with sleep disturbance.

Comparing the effect of auricular acupressure and body acupressure on pain and duration of the first stage of labor: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Labor pain is one of the leading causes of fear of childbirth. Acupressure is a non-pharmacological pain relief method that has shown promising results in relieving this pain. The present study is designed to compare the effects of body acupressure at multiple points and auricular acupressure on the pain and duration of labor.

METHODS/DESIGN

In a randomized controlled trial, 90 primigravida women who attend for childbirth will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (intervention groups of either body acupressure or auricular acupressure; control, consisting of routine care). Computer-generated six-block randomization techniques will be used to determine the allocation sequence with a 1:1:1 ratio. To hide the allocation, the type of intervention will be written according to the generated sequence and put in opaque envelopes; these as well as questionnaires will be encoded. The pain score for all participants will be measured at the peak uterine contraction at 4-cm cervical dilation and at 10-cm dilation based on a visual analog scale (VAS). The duration of the active phase of labor in these groups will be recorded too. Data will be imported into SPSS-16 software. First, normality of the data distribution will be investigated. To compare labor duration among the research groups, ANOVA will be used, which will be followed, in case of significance, by the Scheffe post hoc test. Furthermore, Chi-squared test will be used to compare the categorized demographic variables and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests will be used to compare the quantitative variables in the studied groups. A significance level of 0.05 is considered significant.

DISCUSSION

In this study the effect of auricular acupressure and body acupressure on pain and duration of first stage of labor will be compared.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20180218038789N1. Registered 2018-03-04; pre result.

The effect of auricular therapy on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Although a number of clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of auricular therapy for treating hypertension, the overall evidence remains uncertain.

Aims:

We aimed to evaluate the evidence for the effect of auricular therapy on blood pressure using meta-analysis methodology.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, Clinicalkey, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Scientific Journal Database and Wanfang Database and Chinese Biomedicine for trials that compared the effects of auricular therapy to that of sham auricular therapy, antihypertensive drugs, or no intervention on blood pressure. Blood pressure values before and after treatment, magnitude of blood pressure change between baseline and post-intervention, and the efficacy rate, as outcomes, were synthesized by RevMan 5.3. Continuous outcomes were expressed as weighted mean differences, and dichotomous data were expressed as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

We systematically reviewed 44 randomized controlled trials (involving 5022 patients through June 2018). Auricular acupressure plus antihypertensive drugs might be more effective than antihypertensive drugs alone in both reducing systolic blood pressure value after treatment (n=464 patients; mean difference, −5.06 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, –6.76– −3.36, p<0.00001; I²=32%), decreasing diastolic blood pressure after treatment (n=464 patients; mean difference, −5.30 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, –6.27– −4.33, p<0.00001; I²=0%) and the efficacy rate (relative risk, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–1.26; p<0.00001; I²=0%).

Conclusion:

Auricular therapy could be provided to patients with hypertension as an adjunct to antihypertensive drugs for lowering blood pressure value and achieving blood pressure targets.

Acupuncture for pediatric pain: The trend of evidence-based research

Background and aim

Acupuncture is part of thousand years Traditional Chinese Medicine. There was promising evidence to support the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing postoperative surgery and dental pain, as well as chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. The US National Health Statistics Report indicated that there was significant increase in the use of acupuncture. Research on acupuncture has allowed for its integration into common adult pain practice. Acupuncture can also be utilized in pediatric patients.

Experimental procedure

We evaluate the evidence-based acupuncture for pediatric pain research from 2008 to 2017.

Results

and Conclusions: Acupuncture treatment is well supported to be effective treatment for pediatric procedural pain, infantile colic, adolescent pelvic pain, and headaches under specific intervention methods. There is increasing interest in using acupuncture and related techniques for pediatric pain management. However, the evidence-based randomized controlled trials using acupuncture for pediatric pain management is very limited. Further randomized controlled trial research in pediatric pain is urgently needed.

An update and systematic review on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

OBJECTIVES

Primary dysmenorrhea is a painful uterine contraction caused by endometrial laceration. Drug therapies and complementary medicine have been used to treat dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate and offer an updated perspective on the treatments for dysmenorrhea.

METHODS

The present study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The required information was collected based on searches for the following keywords: treatment, primary dysmenorrhea, medicinal plants, chemical drugs, and herbs. Searches were performed on databases Pubmed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Iran medex, and SID by March 2018 to find literature in the English and Persian languages on this subject without a time limit.

RESULTS

This review included 17 papers, 10 of which on complementary medicine, three on drug therapies, and four on acupuncture and acupressure. The largest and smallest samples had 303 and 24 patients, respectively. Length of treatment ranged from one to six months and the measures most commonly used in the studies were the visual analogue scale and clinical efficacy. Reported complications included gastrointestinal events, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and liver and kidney disorders.

CONCLUSION

Medicinal plants, drugs, and acupressure seem to suppress pain by reducing the level of prostaglandins, mediating nitric oxide, increasing beta-endorphin levels, blocking the calcium channel, and enhancing circulatory flow through the uterine pathway. Further trials are required to confirm the benefits of the procedures described and ensure the absence of complications.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pain Management: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Nearly half of hospitalized patients in the United States have reported experiencing pain even while undergoing treatment for pain. Analgesic use is the most common type of treatment for pain management. Many patients who experience pain seek nonpharmacologic interventions to manage their pain, including forms of complementary or alternative medicine such as auricular acupressure (AA).

DESIGN

This study conducted the first systematic review of the studies that have evaluated the effect of AA as an adjunct on pain management.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Google Scholar, and Wiley for randomized controlled trials on AA.

REVIEW/ANALYSIS METHODS

The pain outcomes were pain severity and analgesic consumption. Methodologic quality was also evaluated. Fifteen randomized controlled trials were included in this analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve studies reported statistically significant improvement in the pain outcomes of AA treatment compared with the sham or standard care groups. When methodologic quality was assessed, the selected studies had medium quality, but there was a lack of high quality. This supports that the use of AA for patients may enhance self-management for their pain. However, the small number of studies and the lack of consistent rigorous methodology across the studies preclude definitive statements regarding the effectiveness of AA.

CONCLUSION

The nursing implications based on this review is that education about AA and complementary or alternative medicine therapies for health care providers may assist them in providing pain control for their patients. In addition, we need to continue research to build on evidence on the effect of AA on pain management.

Auricular acupressure is an alternative in treating constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Auricular acupressure (AA) therapy has been widely used in Eastern Asia and Europe to prevent constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy. The aim of this systematic review was to review data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of auricular acupressure therapy for preventing constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

Databases that were searched from their inception until August 2017 included: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, as well as four Chinese databases [Chinese BioMedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Data, and the Chinese WeiPu Database]. In this systematic review, only RCTs that were related to the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on preventing constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. Study selection, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by two reviewers. Quantitative analyses of RCTs were performed using RevMan 5.3 software, and cochrane criteria for risk-of-bias were used to assess the methodological quality of the trials.

RESULTS

A total of 5 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and most were of low methodological quality. Participants in the AA plus routine care group showed significantly greater improvements in the Bristol Stool Form (BSF) [MD = 0.55, 95% CI (0.39, 0.71), p < 0.01] with low heterogeneity (Chi² = 5.01, p = 0.29, I² = 20%). Moreover, when compared with routine care alone, meta-analysis of three RCTs indicated favorable statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) [MD = -1.51, 95% CI (-1.89, -1.14), p < 0.01] with low heterogeneity (Chi² = 1.63, p = 0.44, I² = 0%). Furthermore, when compared with routine care alone, meta-analysis of two RCTs demonstrated statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on the Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality Of Life (PAC-QOL) [MD = -1.28, 95% CI (-1.44, -1.13), p < 0.01], with low heterogeneity (Chi² = 0.19, p = 0.67, I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Taken together, as a potential safety therapy, only weak evidence supported the hypothesis that AA effectively prevented constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Development and psychometric validation of the Menstrual Health Instrument (MHI) for adolescents in Korea

The aims of the researchers were to develop and test initial psychometric properties of the Menstrual Health Instrument, a measure of menstrual health in adolescents that comprehensively evaluates menstrual health. Data were collected with a convenience sample of 230 Korean adolescent girls. As a result of exploratory factor analysis with the 29-item instrument, five factors were extracted: affective symptoms, somatic symptoms and school life, daily habits for menstrual health, menstrual cycle characteristics, and attitudes and perceptions on menstruation. The reliability and validity estimates indicate the Menstrual Health Instrument could be used for screening in school or community settings.