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The Acupuncture
for Menorrhagia Project (ACUMEN)
Project leader:
Alison Longridge
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In collaboration with our partner, the Department of Health
Sciences, University of York
and led by Alison Longridge (pictured), the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chinese
Medicine, we have recently completed an exploratory trial to
assess the feasibility of a full scale pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate
the clinical and economic benefits of offering acupuncture to patients with menorrhagia in
primary care. |
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With
over 40,000 hysterectomies being performed every year in the UK, the need
for women to have a less invasive and more supportive treatment for heavy
menstrual periods continues to be an important issue.
Because women can be on a waiting list for a hysterectomy for
between one and two years, and many would rather not have one, there is an
opportunity to evaluate acupuncture as an alternative treatment.
Research in China suggests that around two-thirds of women with
heavy menstrual periods can be significantly helped with acupuncture.
Based on these findings, and the experiences of patients and
practitioners in the West, the ACUMEN Project was designed by Alison
Longridge, then a PhD student at the Department of Health Sciences at the
University of York, in collaboration with the Foundation and Professor
Kate Thomas. Funding has come from an independent grant-making trust and
the Department of Health Sciences, University of York.
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Hugh MacPherson taking the pulse of
a patient from the ACUMEN trial, see also
an article about the patients' perspective
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The initial phase of this project has involved an
exploratory trial designed to explore a possible role for acupuncture in the
treatment of menorrhagia, as a preparation for a full scale randomised
controlled trial. In the
exploratory trial, 40 patients were randomised to the offer of acupuncture in
conjunction with normal GP care while the other half received normal GP care
only. The acupuncture group
received up to 20 acupuncture sessions on a weekly basis.
This research has aimed to explore the feasibility of the design and
acceptability of acupuncture to patients, as well as testing referral and other
procedures, assessing outcome measures, and monitoring costs and safety.
The results are now being written up for publication.
Research team:
Ms
Alison Longridge, doctoral student,
Department of Health Sciences, University of York
Dr. Manuela Fontebasso, GP Advisor, York
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