OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy among the combined treatment of flying needling therapy and clomiphene, the simple application of flying needling therapy and simple clomiphene in the treatment of ovulation failure in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSNinety patients of PCOS were randomized into a flying needling therapy group, a medication group and a combined treatment group, 30 cases in each one. In the flying needling therapy group, the flying needling therapy was simply applied to Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongji (CV 3). The unilateral back-points were used alternatively in each treatment. The needles were inserted rapidly with rotation technique and even-needling manipulation. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week. In the medication group, clomiphene was taken orally on the 5th day of menstruation, continuously for 5 days. In the combined treatment group, the flying needling therapy and clomiphene were used in combination. All of the patients were treated for 3 months and followed up for 1 month. The ovulation rates were compared among the three groups. The levels of androgen testosterone were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn the combined treatment group, the ovulation rate was 86.2% (100/116), better than 66.7% (80/120) in the flying needling therapy group and 69.6% (78/112) in the medication group (both<0.05). The efficacy was similar between the fly needling therapy group and the medication group (>0.05). After treatment, the level of testosterone was reduced in the three groups (all<0.05). In the combined treatment group, the improvement in androgen level was better than those in the flying needling therapy group and the medication group (both<0.05). The efficacy was similar between the flying needling therapy group and the medication group (>0.05). The adverse reactions in the combined treatment group and the flying needling therapy group were lower than those in the medication group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe flying needling therapy effectively improves in the ovulation failure of PCOS and its effect is similar to clomiphene. The allied treatment of them apparently improves the clinical efficacy and alleviates the adverse reactions.