Acupuncture in the Regulation of Dai Meridian for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients With Abdominal Obesity

Acupuncture in the Regulation of Dai Meridian for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients With Abdominal Obesity

Acupuncture in the Regulation of Dai Meridian for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients With Abdominal Obesity

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of electroacupuncture to dredge and regulate Dai Meridian combined with lifestyle modification are more effective than lifestyle modification only in the treatment of anovulation and hyperandrogenism due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with abdominal obesity.Two thirds of participants will receive electroacupuncture and lifestyle modification in combination, while the other one third will receive lifestyle modification only.

Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is one of most common clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome, a widely and seriously influenced complex disorder related to reproduction and metabolism. Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the abdominal organs often leads to insulin resistance, which will increase the harm of hyperandrogenism and exacerbate ovulation disorders and metabolic abnormalities. Weight loss, likely beneficial for both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in this setting , has been generally recommended as a first-line therapy for obese women with PCOS and can be accomplished via lifestyle modification and electroacupuncture. What's more, stimulating acupoints of Dai Meridian can regulate menstrual cycles and treat infertility according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. However, how much benefits patients will additionally get from the Combined therapy is not clear now.

Electro-acupuncture is given three times a week with diet restriction to 1400 calories a day and moderate aerobic exercise 3h a week for 12 weeks.

Disposable, single-use, sterilized stainless-steel needles (Yunlong, Beijing, China; length 40/100 mm, diameter 0.30 mm) are inserted into waist, bilaterally. All of the six points are located in the Dai Meridian route corresponding to the ovaries. Four needles, 0.25mm in diameter and 25mm in length, are also placed in distal acupuncture points which are located in the feet and lower arms to enhance local points' effects. Acupuncture needles of 0.3mm in diameter and 100mm in length are inserted into GB26(Daimai) with a depth of 25-65mm by an angle of 15°, following the path of Dai Meridian (towards medial and downside). The other needles are inserted vertically into the acupoints with a depth of 10-30mm, depending on the thickness of muscles. Electro-acupuncture is applied to both sides of GB26 and ST25(Tianshu): cathode is connected to GB26; anode to ST25. Needles are stimulated electrically with low frequency (2 Hz) for 20 min.

The diet restricts patients to 1400 calories a day for 12 weeks.The exercise included 12 weeks of aerobic exercise in moderate level (60 to 70% of maximum heart rate), for 3 sessions a week, each session for 60 min. The exercises included: Warning up: 10 min, main phase (aerobic exercise): 40 min and cooling down: 10 min. Polar Pulse measuring device from China was used to control the intensity of the exercises.

Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Clinical diagnosis of abdominal obesity. Agree to participate in clinical trials. Exclusion Criteria: Endocrine or neoplastic causes of amenorrhoea, anovulation and hyperandrogenemia, including central nervous system abnormalities, premature ovarian failure, thyroid disease, Cushing's syndrome,androgen secreting tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and hyperprolactinaemia. Patients suffering from other serious diseases(cardiocerebrovascular diseases, damage to the function of liver and kidney, and mental illness). Patients taking hormonal and metabolic drugs within 12 weeks of study entry affecting the judgment of results. Pregnant or breast feeding.

Abazar E, Taghian F, Mardanian F, Forozandeh D. Effects of aerobic exercise on plasma lipoproteins in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Adv Biomed Res. 2015 Mar 25;4:68. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.153892. eCollection 2015.

Case problem: dietary recommendations to combat obesity, insulin resistance, and other concerns related to polycystic ovary syndrome. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000 Aug;100(8):955-7; discussion 957-60. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00275-3. No abstract available.