Abstract: Objective To observe the immediate and long-term effects of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) on primary dysmenorrhea of cold dampness stagnation type. Methods Thirty-five patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold dampness stagnation type were treated with WAA when suffering menstrual pain. Bilateral WAA point lower 1,lower 2,and lower 3 were selected. The needles were generally retained for 24 hours, and acupuncture was performed once per menstrual cycle. VAS score before the treatment and 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after the treatment were compared to evaluate the immediate efficacy. The patients were followed up continuously for 3 months to observe the cumulative recovery rate after each treatment and the long-term efficacy was assessed. Results VAS score 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after the treatment was lower than that before the treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). During the 3-month follow-up, the cumulative recovery rate of the patients in one menstrual cycle was 14%; that in two menstrual cycles 40%, and that in three menstrual cycles 66%. Conclusion Being practical, easy to operate and with low cost, WAA in the intervention of primary dysmenorrhea of cold dampness stagnation type has significant immediate and long-term effects but without non-toxic side effects, and it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Key words: wrist-ankle acupuncture, cold dampness stagnation type, primary dysmenorrhea