Effect of acupuncture on peri- and postmenopausal women with mild arterial hypertension

Kraft K, Coulon S

Medizinische Poliklinik der Universität Bonn, Wilhelmstrasse 35-37, Bonn, 53111, Germany

Objective

To compare the long-term antihypertensive effects of acupuncture (verum) and pseudoacupuncture (placebo) in women who developed high blood pressure at the onset of menopause and complained of typical menopausal symptoms (Chinese syndrome: Gan Yang Shang Kang).

Materials and methods

In a single-blind randomized crossover pilot study 10 peri- and postmenopausal untreated symptomatic women (mean age 50.2 ± 4.9) received 12 sessions of verum (2/week) and after an interval of 2 months 12 sessions of placebo or vice versa. 24 h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) was performed before and after each cycle. Complaints were monitored by validated standard tests (Zerssen scales).

Results

Blood pressure (ABPM) was not altered by verum or placebo. Also acute effects by verum or placebo on sitting and standing blood pressure before and after each session could not be measured. Complaints were reduced (verum: p<0.01, placebo: p<0.05) and state of health was improved (verum: p<0.01, placebo n.s.). These effects persisted for at least 3 months.

Conclusion

Complaints related to menopause can be influenced by acupuncture, but not high blood pressure, which originally was not part of the Chinese syndrome.

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