Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion on pain and quality of life in women with endometriosis: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) on pain and quality of life in women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients will be randomly assigned to a treatment group or a wait-list control group. The treatment group will receive 12 sessions of HPM in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region for 3 months. Wait-list participants will not receive any specific treatments until the trial is completed.


RESULTS
The primary outcome measure is pain intensity assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, months 1, 2, and 3 in the treatment period, and months 4, 5, and 6 in the follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures include quality of life assessed by the Short Form 36 Health Survey, change in CA125, change in cyst diameter (assessed by ultrasound examination), and rescue medication dosage.


CONCLUSION
This study will provide evidence to confirm if HPM may be used as a therapeutic option for treating endometriosis.
['Hu|Hantong|H|', 'Chen|Lifang|L|', 'Jin|Xiaofei|X|', 'Li|Ru|R|', 'Fang|Jianqiao|J|']
D015669:Acupuncture Points D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D002985:Clinical Protocols D004715:Endometriosis D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008875:Middle Aged D009071:Moxibustion D010147:Pain Measurement D011788:Quality of Life D055815:Young Adult
Moxibustion Pain Endometriosi Protocol Randomized controlled trial