True and sham acupuncture produced similar frequency of ovulation and improved LH
to FSH ratios in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Author(s): Pastore LM, Williams CD, Jenkins J, Patrie JT.
Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,
Virginia 22908, USA. lpastore@virginia.edu
Publication date & source: 2011, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. , 96(10):3143-50
CONTEXT: Acupuncture may represent a nonpharmaceutical treatment for women with
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), based on four studies.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether true, as compared
with sham, acupuncture normalizes pituitary gonadotropin hormones and increases
ovulatory frequency in women with PCOS.
DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial (5
month protocol).
SETTING: The study was conducted in central Virginia.
PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four reproductive-aged women completed the intervention.
Eligibility required a PCOS diagnosis and no hormonal intervention 60 d before
enrollment.
INTERVENTIONS: Intervention included 12 sessions of true or sham acupuncture
(Park sham device) for 8 wk.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum LH and FSH at baseline, after intervention, and 3
months later were measured. Ovulation was measured with weekly urine or blood
samples.
RESULTS: Both arms demonstrated a similar mean ovulation rate over the 5 months
(0.37/month among n = 40 true acupuncture and 0.40/month among n = 44 sham
participants, P = 0.6), similar LH to FSH ratio improvement (-0.5 and -0.8 true
and sham, respectively, P < 0.04 after intervention vs. baseline) and a similar
decline in LH over the 5-month protocol (P < 0.05). Neither arm experienced a
change in FSH. There were seven pregnancies (no difference by intervention, P =
0.7). Lower fasting insulin and free testosterone were highly correlated with a
higher ovulation rate within the true acupuncture group only (P = 0.03),
controlling for prestudy menstrual frequency and body mass index.
CONCLUSION: We were unable to discern a difference between the true and sham
acupuncture protocols for these women with PCOS, and both groups had a similar
improvement in their LH/FSH ratio.
|