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Acupuncture improved sleep in postmenopause in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Hachul H, et al. Climacteric 2013;16:36-40.

Introduction:
Insomnia increases in frequency as women approach and pass through menopause. This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on sleep disturbances, depression symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women with insomnia.

Patients and treatments:
In this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 18 postmenopausal women aged 50-67 years presented with a diagnosis of insomnia were treated with acupuncture and ‘sham’ acupuncture during a period of 5 weeks. A polysomnography exam (PSG, a comprehensive recording of the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep) and questionnaires on sleep quality, depression inventory and quality of life were completed by all patients before and after the treatment period.

Results:
Acupuncture treatment significantly improved sleep quality and quality of life. The acupuncture group had a higher percentage of the N3+4 stage (deep sleep) than the sham group in PSG findings.

Conclusion:
Acupuncture is effective in improving sleep quality and quality of life in postmenopausal women with insomnia.

Acupuncture reduced postmenopausal symptoms in a sham controlled clinical trial

Introduction:
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms and other gynecological conditions. This study aimed to investigate whether acupuncture has an effect on menopausal symptoms and to explore whether this effect is related to changes in hormone levels.

Patients and treatments:
A total of 53 postmenopausal women were alternately assigned into acupuncture (n=27) and sham acupuncture (n=26) treatments. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using Menopause Rating Scale. The serum estradiol, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) levels were measured before the first treatment session and after the last treatment session.

Results:
After treatment, total menopause score, and the somatic and psychological subscale scores were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than the sham group. The severity of hot flushes was significantly decreased after treatment in acupuncture group. In the acupuncture group LH levels were lower and estradiol levels were significantly higher than sham group after treatment, but there was no difference in FSH levels.

Conclusion:
Acupuncture is effective in reducing menopausal complaints when compared to sham acupuncture and can be considered as an alternative therapy in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Source:
Sunay D, et al. The effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal symptoms and reproductive hormones: a sham controlled clinical trial. Acupuncture in Medicine 2011;29:27-31.

Acupuncture as effective as drug therapy for vasomotor symptoms in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction:
Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes or night sweats) are common adverse effects of antiestrogen hormone treatment in conventional breast cancer care. Hormone replacement therapy is contraindicated in patients with breast cancer. Venlafaxine (Effexor), the therapy of choice for these symptoms, has numerous adverse effects. Recent studies suggest acupuncture may be effective in reducing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. This randomized controlled trial conducted in Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, USA tested whether acupuncture reduces vasomotor symptoms and produces fewer adverse effects than venlafaxine.

Patients and treatments:
Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of acupuncture (n=25) or venlafaxine (n=25) treatment. Health outcomes were measured for up to 1 year post-treatment.

Results:
Both groups exhibited significant decreases in hot flashes, depressive symptoms, and other quality-of-life symptoms, including significant improvements in mental health from pre- to post-treatment. These changes were similar in both groups, indicating that acupuncture was as effective as venlafaxine. By 2 weeks post-treatment, the venlafaxine group experienced significant increases in hot flashes, whereas hot flashes in the acupuncture group remained at low levels. The venlafaxine group experienced 18 incidences of adverse effects (nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety), whereas the acupuncture group experienced no negative adverse effects. Acupuncture had the additional benefit of increased sex drive in some women, and most reported an improvement in their energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being.