Management of Menopause Symptoms with Acupuncture: An Umbrella Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review;Systematic Review)
OBJECTIVES: Vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) are the most common symptoms reported during menopause. Although hormone therapy is effective for reducing VMSs, its use is restricted in some women. Many women with VMSs thus seek nonhormonal, nonpharmacologic treatment options such as acupuncture. DESIGN: An umbrella systematic review (SR) was conducted, supplemented by a search of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), that assessed the effectiveness of acupuncture for VMSs, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and adverse effects of treatment in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model when data were sufficient. RESULTS: Three SRs and four new RCTs were identified that met eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses of this study revealed statistically significant standardized mean differences (SMDs) associated with acupuncture compared with no acupuncture at reducing VMS frequency (SMD -0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.06 to -0.26, I2 = 61.7%, 5 trials) and VMS severity (SMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.85 to -0.13, I2 = 18.1%, 4 trials) and improving HRQOL outcomes (SMD -0.93, 95% CI -1.20 to -0.67, I2 = 0.0%, 3 trials). SMDs were smaller or not statistically significant when acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from RCTs supports the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment for reducing VMSs and improving HRQOL outcomes, with the caveat that observed clinical benefit associated with acupuncture may be due, in part, or in whole to nonspecific effects. The safety of acupuncture in the treatment of VMSs has not been rigorously examined, but there is no clear signal for a significant potential for harm.
Full Text
Duke Authors
- Adam, Soheir Saeed
- Coeytaux, Remy Rene
- Goldstein, Karen M.
- Goode, Adam Payne
- Kosinski, Andrzej Stanislaw
- Shepherd-Banigan, Megan E
- Williams Jr., John Wiley
Cited Authors
- Befus, D; Coeytaux, RR; Goldstein, KM; McDuffie, JR; Shepherd-Banigan, M; Goode, AP; Kosinski, A; Van Noord, MG; Adam, SS; Masilamani, V; Nagi, A; Williams, JW
Published Date
- April 2018
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 24 / 4
Start / End Page
- 314 - 323
PubMed ID
- 29298078
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1557-7708
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1089/acm.2016.0408
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States