Effect of laser acupuncture on pain and density of bone in osteoporotic postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the value of laser acupuncture (LA) on forearm bone mineral density (BMD) and wrist pain in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. METHODS: Sixty-eight postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis were randomly allocated equally to one of two sets. The drug-only group received calcium and vitamin D 3 supplement containing fluoride daily for 12 weeks, whereas the drug/LA group received LA therapy for 20 minutes per session, three sessions weekly, in addition to the same supplementation. The primary outcome parameter was assessment of BMD of the nondominant arm. Other outcomes included wrist pain. RESULTS: There was a highly significant improvement in the T-score of forearm BMD in both groups (-2.844 ± 0.476 to -2.597 ± 0.478 and -2.944 ± 0.486 to -1.652 ± 0.728 in the drug-only and drug/LA groups, respectively; P < 0.0001) and visual analog scale score (7.50 ± 0.79 to 4.24 ± 1.07 and 7.24 ± 0.82 to 3.09 ± 0.75 in the drug-only and drug/LA group, respectively; P < 0.0001). The improvement of both BMD and pain score was significantly higher in the drug/LA group (-1.303 and 4.15) compared with the drug-only group (-0.247 and 3.26; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: LA in combination with calcium and vitamin D supplementation containing fluoride is an effective modality in improving forearm BMD and reducing pain in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Electroacupuncture on Postnatal Scanty Milk Secretion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Postnatal scanty milk secretion is a common complaint. Some physical and medical interventions were advocated to help milk production. These interventions should be effective and safe for the mother and the infant. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled study conducted on 60 healthy primiparous mothers with insufficient lactation. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (control), group B (those who received low-power He-Ne laser beam on both breasts), and group C (those who received faradic current stimulation at Spleen 6, Liver 3, and Small Intestine 1 acupuncture points on both sides). All participants received 10 mg Domperidone three times a day and were given advice about lactation, nutrition, and fluid intake. Evaluation was done before and after the treatment program. RESULTS: The mean serum prolactin, infant weight, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were significantly increased in the three groups posttreatment when compared with their corresponding levels pretreatment. Posttreatment serum prolactin was significantly elevated in group C more than the other two groups (p = 0.001 and 0.012, respectively). Also, it was significantly elevated in group B more than in group A (p = 0.001). The mean value of infant weight was significantly elevated in group C when compared with its corresponding values in both groups A (p = 0.001) and B (p = 0.029). The VAS score was significantly increased in both groups B and C when compared with group A (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture is more effective than low-level laser therapy in increasing postnatal scanty milk secretion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03806062.

Effect of oral contraceptives on balance in women: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effect of combined oral contraceptive pills (COC) on dynamic postural balance in healthy middle aged women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study included 200 patients classified into two groups. Group I received COC containing 30 µg of EE and 3 mg of drospirenone for 12 consecutive cycles and Group II received no treatment. Overall, medio-lateral and antero-posterior stability were measured using Biodex system after 12 months. RESULTS: There was a highly statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups regarding estradiol level (12.84 ± 1.96 vs. 38.86 ± 3.99, P value < 0.001) and progesterone level (0.52 ± 0.25 vs. 11.64 ± 4.53, P value < 0.001). There was a highly statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups regarding mediolateral stability (1.84 ± 0.23 vs. 2.40 ± 0.56, P value < 0.001), antereoposterior stability (1.91 ± 0.29 vs. 2.33 ± 0.61, P value < 0.001) or overall stability (2.42 ± 0.29 vs. 2.95 ± 0.53, P value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COC are effective method of contraception to improve postural balance and decrease risk of injury in normal and athletic women. NCT02855294.