Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for primary dysmenorrhoea: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the relative benefits of non-pharmacological interventions, including Acupressure, in reducing pain intensity for primary dysmenorrhoea.
Results Summary
The study found that Acupressure displayed a positive effect on reducing menstrual pain compared to placebo or no treatment, though it was not among the top-ranked interventions in the Bayesian network meta-analysis.
Population
Patients with primary dysmenorrhoea.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #1 |
Herb | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #2 |
Acupuncture | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #3 |
Aromatherapy | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #4 |
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #5 |
Topical heat | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #6 |
Acupressure | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #7 |
Yoga | decrease | menstrual pain | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain | #8 |
exercise | decrease | pain intensity (VAS) | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | -3.20 (95% CI -4.01 to -2.34) | probably resulted in a reduction in pain intensity | #9 |
acupuncture | decrease | pain intensity (VAS) | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | -2.90 (95% CI -3.97 to -2.85) | probably resulted in a reduction in pain intensity | #10 |
topical heat | decrease | pain intensity (VAS) | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | -2.97 (95% CI -4.66 to -1.29) | probably resulted in a reduction in pain intensity | #11 |
Non-pharmacological interventions | decrease | pain intensity | patient with primary dysmenorrhoea | - | may result in a reduction or slight reduction in pain intensity | #12 |
OBJECTIVES: To assess the relative benefits of various non-pharmacological interventions on treating primary dysmenorrhoea within a network meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trial involving patient with primary dysmenorrhoea and received non-pharmacological interventions. DATA SOURCES: Four databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science) were searched from inception to October first, 2022. RISK-OF-BIAS ROB ASSESSMENT: RoB 2.0 assessment tools was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS: Conventional meta-analysis was conducted by pairwise comparison between non-pharmacological therapy and control treatment. The Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted by the Aggregate Data Drug Information System Software based on the consistency or inconsistency model, and rank probability was used to indicate the priority of non-pharmacological therapy. RESULTS: 33 studies involving eight non-pharmacological interventions were included. With regard to conventional meta-analysis, we selected Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) as primary outcome to evaluate the pain intensity. The result showed that eight interventions (Exercise, Herb, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Topical heat, Acupressure, Yoga) displayed positive effect on reduction of menstrual pain compared with placebo or no treatment. A Bayesian network meta-analysis revealed that exercise -3.20 (95% CI -4.01 to -2.34), acupuncture -2.90 (95% CI -3.97 to -2.85) and topical heat -2.97 (95% CI -4.66 to -1.29) probably resulted in a reduction in pain intensity (VAS) . CONCLUSIONS: Non-pharmacological interventions may result in a reduction or slight reduction in pain intensity compared with no treatment or placebo. Specifically, exercise and acupuncture are considered as potentially effective non-pharmacological treatments in short-term treatment. Indeed, larger and better methodological quality research is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022351021.