More Than Needles: The Importance of Explanations and Self-Care Advice in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea with Acupuncture
Joint Authors
Smith, Caroline A.
Dahlen, Hannah G.
Armour, Michael
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2016, Issue 2016 (31 Dec. 2016), pp.1-11, 11 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2016-05-08
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
11
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynaecological condition.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists commonly treat primary dysmenorrhea and dispense specific self-care advice for this condition.
The impact of self-care advice on primary dysmenorrhea is unknown.
Methods.
19 TCM acupuncture practitioners from New Zealand or Australia and 12 New Zealand women who had recently undergone acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea as part of a randomised controlled trial participated in this qualitative, pragmatic study.
Focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to collect data.
These were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results.
The overarching theme was that an acupuncture treatment consisted of “more than needles” for both practitioners and participants.
Practitioners and participants both discussed the partnership they engaged in during treatment, based on openness and trust.
Women felt that the TCM self-care advice was related to positive outcomes for their dysmenorrhea and increased their feelings of control over their menstrual symptoms.
Conclusions.
Most of the women in this study found improved symptom control and reduced pain.
A contributing factor for these improvements may be an increased internal health locus of control and an increase in self-efficacy resulting from the self-care advice given during the clinical trial.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Armour, Michael& Dahlen, Hannah G.& Smith, Caroline A.. 2016. More Than Needles: The Importance of Explanations and Self-Care Advice in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea with Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1104073
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Armour, Michael…[et al.]. More Than Needles: The Importance of Explanations and Self-Care Advice in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea with Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2016 (2016), pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1104073
American Medical Association (AMA)
Armour, Michael& Dahlen, Hannah G.& Smith, Caroline A.. More Than Needles: The Importance of Explanations and Self-Care Advice in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea with Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016. Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1104073
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1104073