OBJECTIVETo compare the time-effect rule of pain-relieving in moderate dysmenorrhea in the treatment between acupuncture on single-point and acupuncture on multi-point so as to determine the best time of needle retaining on single-point and multi-point as well as provide the reference evidences of acupuncture frequency in the treatment.

METHODSSixty-three cases of moderate dysmenorrhea were randomized into a single-point group (31 cases) and a multi-point group (32 cases). During the attack of dysmenorrhea, in single-point group, Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) was punctured; in multi-point group, Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Diji (SP 8), Ciliao (BL 32) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured and the needles were retained for 30 min. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values were recorded in the immediate time before acupuncture, in 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after needle insertion, as well as in 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after needle withdrawal separately.

RESULTSAfter needling, analgesia was generated rapidly in either group. During 30 min of needle retaining, analgesia was enhanced persistently till needle withdrawal in either group. In 10 min after needle insertion, the immediate analgesia in multi-point group was superior obviously to single-point group (P < 0.05) and this effect was maintained in 2 h after needle withdrawal. In 30 min after needle withdrawal, acupuncture analgesia was declined to the maximum.

CONCLUSIONEither single-point acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) or multi-point acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) and other acupoints has apparent immediate analgesia on primary dysmenorrhea of moderate degree, but the effect of multi-point acupuncture is better than that of acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8). No matter with acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) or at multi-point, the time of needle retaining should not be shorten than 30 min. It is suitable to give acupuncture, twice per day for the patients with moderate and persistent pain.