Survey study, 2007
Is pain sensitivity different in people with severe PMS?
People with high PMS had significantly lower pain sensitivity at one specific acupuncture point (SP6) but not at other points tested. This suggests a connection between PMS and pain sensitivity.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 46 female middle school students. Researchers measured pain sensitivity (pressure pain threshold) at acupuncture points and surrounding areas using a device called an algometer. Students were divided into high and low PMS groups based on questionnaire scores.
What they found
The high PMS group had significantly lower pain threshold at the SP6 point (13.50 ± 0.73 kilopascals versus 16.30 ± 0.66 kilopascals in the low PMS group, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found at other acupuncture points or non-acupuncture sites.
What it means for you
This supports the theory that pain sensitivity changes at specific acupuncture points in PMS. However, the study was very small and included only school-age girls. Further studies are needed before using pain sensitivity as a diagnostic tool.
13.50 kPa
pain threshold in high PMS
16.30 kPa
pain threshold in low PMS
46
female students studied
About the study
- Original title
- The alteration of pain sensitivity at disease-specific acupuncture points in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Chae Y, Kim HY, Lee HJ et al.
- Journal
- The journal of physiological sciences : JPS
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 46
- What was tested
- None (observational study of pain sensitivity)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2170/physiolsci.rp012706
Topics
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