[Herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis: a randomized controlled trial]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 54 patients with ovarian endometriosis dysmenorrhea were randomized into a herb-separated moxibustion group and a waiting-list group, 27 cases in each one (3 cases dropped off in the herb-separated moxibustion group, 4 cases dropped off in the waiting-list group). Herb-separated moxibustion was applied at hypogastrium and lumbosacral area for 30 min in the herb-separated moxibustion group, once a week for 3 months, and oral ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given to relieve pain when necessary. Excepting giving ibuprofen sustained-release capsule when necessary, no more intervention was adopted in the waiting-list group. Before and after treatment and in 3 months follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, days of dysmenorrhea, total dose of oral painkiller were observed. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (P<0.05); the days of dysmenorrhea and the total doses of oral painkiller after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Herb-separated moxibustion can effectively improve dysmenorrhea symptom and shorten dysmenorrhea days in patients with ovarian endometriosis.