[CO 2 laser moxibustion for endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of CO ₂ laser moxibustion on endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis.
Methods: A total of 76 patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis were randomized into a laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group, 38 cases in each group. In the laser moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) using CO ₂ laser moxibustion instrument. In the sham laser moxibustion group, the manipulation of moxibustion was same as the laser moxibustion group, without laser output. The treatment was given once every other day, 30 min each time, 3 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment and follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the scores of Gracely box scale (GBS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed, the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the duration of the treatment and the average days of taking drugs were recorded in both groups.
Results: Compared before treatment, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up in the laser moxibustion group ( P <0.05), while those in the sham moxibustion group had no significant differences ( P >0.05). Compared with the sham moxibustion group, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up ( P <0.05), the cases and average days of taking drugs were less in the laser moxibustion group ( P <0.05).
Conclusion: CO ₂ laser moxibustion can improve the pain symptom in patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis, and reduce the use of analgesic drugs.