关键词: 痛经, 针刺疗法, 治疗结果, 腹壁拉伸运动

Abstract: Objective　To verify the safety and effectiveness of wet acupuncture therapy in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea （PD） with home abdominal wall stretching exercise and to determine the possible mechanism of analgesia based on the principle of myofascial pain trigger points （MTrPs）．Methods　Thirty patients with PD who were treated in the Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 1，2015 to December 31，2015 were selected as the experimental group，and 30 non-PD controls were selected as the normal control group during the same period.Individuals in the normal control group did not receive any medical interventions and were advised to stay warm during menstrual periods，avoid overwork，cold temperatures and mood swings，and maintain normal daily routines as well as eating habits.The experimental group underwent wet acupuncture therapy to inactivate the MTrPs in the abdominal wall along with abdominal wall stretching exercises，and regular exercise to maintain the therapeutic effect.This group did not receive other therapies during the treatment period and were followed up for 6 months after treatment.The visual analog scale （VAS） was used to evaluate the degree of abdominal pain in patients within 48 h of menstruation before and after treatment.The levels of serum PGF2α and PGE2 were measured in the experimental group within 48 h of menstrual cramps in the month before treatment and in the month after treatment.In addition，the levels of serum PGF2α and PGE2 in the normal control group within 48 h of menstrual cramps in the month after treatment were also measured.Treatment efficacy and adverse reactions were observed and recorded in the experimental group.Results　The VAS score within 48 h of menstrual cramps in the experimental group was lower after treatment than before treatment（P<0.01）．The level of serum PGF2α within 48 h of menstrual cramps the month after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the experimental group，and serum PGE2 levels were higher after treatment than before treatment （P<0.01）．Serum PGE2 levels within 48 h of menstrual cramps after treatment in the experimental group were not statistically different to those in the normal control group （P>0.05）．Serum PGF2α levels within 48 h of menstrual cramps after treatment in the experimental group were lower than those in the normal control group （P<0.05）．The efficacy rates at 1，3，and 6 months after treatment were 80.0% （24/30），83.3% （25/30），and 76.7% （23/30），respectively.In the experimental group，25 cases of musculoskeletal sensation at the puncture site were rapidly relieved by abdominal wall stretching exercise；4 cases of non-menstrual paroxysmal lower abdominal pain and twitching sensation were significantly reduced the month after receiving wet acupuncture therapy and abdominal wall stretching exercise.Conclusion　Treatment with wet acupuncture therapy and home abdominal stretching exercise was effective in patients with PD，and significantly reduced serum PGF2α levels in the experimental group within 48 h of menstrual cramps，increased serum PGE2 levels within 48 h of menstrual cramps，thereby improving discomfort due to menstrual abdominal pain in the experimental group and was safe with few adverse reactions.

Key words: Dysmenorrhea, Acupuncture therapy, Treatment outcome, Abdominal stretching exercise