The Influence Of Acupuncture On Reducing Women's Pain From Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,875.00
Summary
Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion o ....Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. It has been indicated in several non-clinical studies and two small clinical trials to be effective with treating dysmenorrhoea. Evidence from the Cochrane systematic review of acupuncture to treat primary dysmenorrhoea concluded acupuncture may be helpful. This study assesses whether women with dysmenorrhoea can be successfully treated using acupuncture. Women experiencing dysmenorrhoea with no underlying pelvic pathology will be offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Women interested in taking part will be randomly allocated into one of two groups. One group of women will receive acupuncture, a second group will receive control (sham) acupuncture. The second study group involves the insertion of needles away from acupuncture points. Women will receive the treatment intervention for three menstrual cycles and then followed up for a further six months. Women will be asked to report on the pain they experience during menses and to report any time taken off from work or school, disruption with day to day activities, or the need for additional pain relief. In 2005 we expect to report on the effectiveness of this treatment on dysmenorrhoea and whether this treatment is acceptable to women. If the results are positive, it is hoped this will become an option available to women for the management of their dysmenorrhoea.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Glucosamine Sulphate On Structural Disease Progression In Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,250,214.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by a progressive loss of cartilage and joint space resulting in increasing pain and difficulty performing usual daily activities. OA is the leading health problem amongst older Australians and a National Health Priority area. There is no known cure for OA and no intervention demonstrated to slow disease progression or delay time to joint replacement surgery. Currently patients are managed symptomatically with all clinical guidelines recommendi ....Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by a progressive loss of cartilage and joint space resulting in increasing pain and difficulty performing usual daily activities. OA is the leading health problem amongst older Australians and a National Health Priority area. There is no known cure for OA and no intervention demonstrated to slow disease progression or delay time to joint replacement surgery. Currently patients are managed symptomatically with all clinical guidelines recommending paracetamol as 'the preferred long term oral analgesic'. This recommendation is based on the increased risk of serious gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal diseases with long-term NSAIDs use in older people. However, NSAIDs appear to provide better pain relief for patients with more than mild joint pain. Amongst patients with OA, there is much demand for the dietary supplement glucosamine sulphate. Product marketing has led to the belief that glucosamine is able to slow the rate of joint destruction and cartilage loss and help ease joint pain with, in contrast to NSAIDs, little risk of side effects. However, the few trials conducted to date have been inconclusive. If the marketing claims are unjustified, many older people are wasting limited financial resources and due to unrealistic expectations of the benefit of glucosamine, placing a lower priority on lifestyle changes of proven effectiveness, such as regular exercise and weight loss. A total of 900 patients with knee OA will be randomly allocated to glucosamine sulphate or matching placebo capsules for two years. The main outcomes will be the rate of joint space narrowing, use of NSAIDs and physical disability. If glucosamine results in slowing disease progression or in reducing NSAIDs consumption, the widespread use of this product would effectively decrease pain, disability and NSAIDs-related illnesses amongst the increasing number of people with OA.Read moreRead less