Getting to the point: mapping acupuncture treatment details for endometriosis, from dosage components to pattern differentiation – a scoping review

Nora Giese, Yiqing Cai, Xia Li, Jessie Browne, Rosa N. Schnyer, Amelia K. Mardon, Caroline Smith, Mike Armour
In: Integrative Medicine Research · 2026 · pp. 101411 · doi:10.1016/j.imr.2026.101411 · W7223091040
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This scoping review mapped acupuncture protocols for endometriosis, finding substantial variation in treatment frequency and session numbers across studies while consistently identifying Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis as primary patterns.

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Abstract

Background Endometriosis affects millions of women and those assigned female at birth worldwide, yet current treatments such as hormonal therapy and surgery often fail to provide adequate symptom relief. Acupuncture may be effective in endometriosis symptom management; however, clinical guidance remains lacking, possibly leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. This scoping review aims to explore acupuncture dosage components including treatment frequency, duration and acupuncture points informed by the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept of pattern differentiation. Methods The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology was used to systematically map the acupuncture treatment details based on STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) and pattern differentiation. Fourteen English and Chinese electronic databases were searched from inception to 4 June 2026. International stakeholders (n=5) were involved to capture additional sources. Results Out of 2,458 records identified, 79 met the inclusion criteria, predominantly randomized controlled trials (n=38) and mostly conducted in China (n=57). Most common treatment details were TCM-style acupuncture, typically involving 8-12 needles retained for 30 minutes. Substantial variation was observed between studies conducted within versus outside China, with median treatment numbers of 27 versus 11 and frequencies of ≥ three versus once weekly. Pattern differentiation was reported in 23 studies, consistently identifying Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis as the primary pattern in endometriosis. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment approaches for endometriosis varied substantially across studies, particularly regarding treatment frequency and number of sessions. These findings may inform future research and support the development of more clinically relevant acupuncture protocols. Trial registration/Protocol registration Open Science Framework (OSF), Registration DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RUDCH

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