Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Qing Ren, Xinyu Yu, Fujiu Liao, Xiaofan Chen, Dongmei Yan, Heyun Nie, Jinju Fang, Meng Yang, Xu Zhou · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · 2018 May

DOI 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.03.012

Objective

The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Gua Sha therapy for the treatment of patients with perimenopausal syndrome.

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence supported the hypothesis that Gua Sha therapy effectively improved the treatment efficacy in patients with perimenopausal syndrome. Additional studies will be required to elucidate optimal frequency and dosage of Gua Sha.

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Insights

Combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.

The study analyzed 6 RCTs, mostly of low methodological quality, and found that combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) Score and hormone levels (FSH, LH, and E2) compared to Western medicine therapy alone, suggesting potential effectiveness in managing perimenopausal symptoms. Additionally, Gua Sha therapy combined with Western medicine showed favorable effects on the MENQOL scale. However, further research is needed to determine optimal frequency and dosage of Gua Sha therapy for perimenopausal syndrome treatment.