Effect of a standardized acupuncture treatment on complaints, blood pressure, and serum lipids of postmenopausal patients with mild hypertension - A randomized, controlled clinical study

Background: Acupuncture according to the Chinese syndrome is often used in patients with postmenopausal complaints. Often these patients have an incre ased blood pressure. As experienced therapists report that acupuncture is e fficient also in hypertension, our aim was to investigate whether the acupu ncture used for the treatment of postmenopausal syndrome also has an effect on blood pressure. Patients and Methods: The efficacy of a standardized ac upuncture according to the Chinese syndrome was evaluated in a randomized, single-blind, place be-controlled cross-over study with 10 postmenopausal p atients with mild hypertension. Blood pressure was measured by 24-hour ambu latory blood pressure measurement. Complaints and well-being were evaluated by validated questionnaires. In addition, serum lipids and excretion of ca techolamines in the 24-hour urine were measured. Results: Blood pressure wa s altered neither by verum nor placebo acupuncture, however, complaints wer e significantly reduced and wellbeing was improved after verum treatment. T he improvement lasted less than two months. Serum lipids did not change, bu t the excretion of normetanephrine was reduced by verum acupuncture. Conclu sions: Acupuncture with a standardized combination of acupuncture points ac cording to the Chinese syndrome can transitorily reduce postmenopausal comp laints, but does not alter blood pressure or serum lipids at the same time.