「QH觀天下」鍼灸治療絕經期女性潮熱盜汗
Women of menopausal age regularly experience a number of symptoms due to the hormonal changes in their bodies. While there are many options available to combat them, there isn’t one definitive solution. In light of a new study from scientists in North Carolina, there’s evidence that acupuncture is a reliable, proven source of comfort for menopausal women.
女性在絕經期會出現因體內激素變化引起的諸多症狀。解決這一問題的方法有很多，只是目前仍缺乏明確的治療方案。美國北卡羅來納州科學家們的一項新研究表明，鍼灸已被證實是診療女性絕經期問題的一種有效方法。
Women of menopausal age regularly experience a number of symptoms due to the hormonal changes in their bodies. While there are many options available to combat them, there isn’t one definitive solution. In light of a new study from scientists in North Carolina, there’s evidence that acupuncture is a reliable, proven source of comfort for menopausal women.
女性在絕經期會出現因體內激素變化引起的諸多症狀。解決這一問題的方法有很多，只是目前仍缺乏明確的治療方案。美國北卡羅來納州科學家們的一項新研究表明，鍼灸已被證實是診療女性絕經期問題的一種有效方法。
The research, published in Menopause Journal, was led by Professor Nancy Avis. Together with her fellow researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Center, 209 women were enlisted between the ages of 45 and 60 who had not had a period for three months, and were experiencing approximately four hot flashes or night sweats over a 24-hour period. Participants were evaluated and randomly divided into two groups.
這項在《 更年期雜誌》（Menopause Journal）上發表的研究，由Nancy Avis教授領銜，威克森林浸信醫學中心（Wake Forest Baptist Center）的研究人員共同努力完成。研究對象為209位年齡在45歲至60歲之間的女性，這些女性均已停經三個月，每24小時經歷約四次潮熱與盜汗。評估後，將這些研究對象隨機分為兩組。
The first group received acupuncture treatments over the course of six months, and were assessed for the following six months. The second group did not receive acupuncture for the first six months, instead receiving treatments during the latter six months. Each participant was allowed up to twenty treatment sessions with a licensed, local acupuncturist during their alloted six months, and were encouraged to keep a diary of their experiences.
第一組予六個月一療程的鍼灸治療，並在後續六個月接受評估。第二組從後六個月開始治療。所有實驗對象均在分配的六個月內接受當地執業鍼灸師最高達20次鍼灸治療。鼓勵患者每日記錄他們的治療經歷。
Professor Avis says the decision to let the participant decide how many treatments and how often they received them was to make the study as close to the “real world” as possible.
Avis教授解釋道，讓實驗對象來決定接受鍼灸治療的次數和頻率是為了使研究儘可能地接近“現實”情況。
After the first six months, the first group reported an average 36.7 % drop in the frequency of hot flashes, compared to before they began treatment. In comparison, the second group noted an increase of 6%. After a year, the first group reported having 29.4% fewer hot flashes and night sweats compared to before treatment.
治療六個月後，第一組患者出現潮熱的頻率相比治療前平均下降了36.7 %，而第二組同比增長6%。治療一年後，第一組出現潮熱盜汗的頻率相比治療前下降了29.4%。
“ Although acupuncture does not work for every woman, our study showed that, on average, acupuncture effectively reduced the frequency of hot flashes and results were maintained for 6 months after the treatments stopped,” said Avis.”
Avis教授說：“雖然鍼灸療法並非適用於所有女性，但我們的研究表明鍼灸有效地降低了潮熱的發生率，且在終止治療後，其療效仍持續了6個月”。
Women of menopausal age regularly experience a number of symptoms due to the hormonal changes in their bodies. While there are many options available to combat them, there isn’t one definitive solution. In light of a new study from scientists in North Carolina, there’s evidence that acupuncture is a reliable, proven source of comfort for menopausal women.
女性在絕經期會出現因體內激素變化引起的諸多症狀。解決這一問題的方法有很多，只是目前仍缺乏明確的治療方案。美國北卡羅來納州科學家們的一項新研究表明，鍼灸已被證實是診療女性絕經期問題的一種有效方法。
The research, published in Menopause Journal, was led by Professor Nancy Avis. Together with her fellow researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Center, 209 women were enlisted between the ages of 45 and 60 who had not had a period for three months, and were experiencing approximately four hot flashes or night sweats over a 24-hour period. Participants were evaluated and randomly divided into two groups.
這項在《 更年期雜誌》（Menopause Journal）上發表的研究，由Nancy Avis教授領銜，威克森林浸信醫學中心（Wake Forest Baptist Center）的研究人員共同努力完成。研究對象為209位年齡在45歲至60歲之間的女性，這些女性均已停經三個月，每24小時經歷約四次潮熱與盜汗。評估後，將這些研究對象隨機分為兩組。
The first group received acupuncture treatments over the course of six months, and were assessed for the following six months. The second group did not receive acupuncture for the first six months, instead receiving treatments during the latter six months. Each participant was allowed up to twenty treatment sessions with a licensed, local acupuncturist during their alloted six months, and were encouraged to keep a diary of their experiences.
第一組予六個月一療程的鍼灸治療，並在後續六個月接受評估。第二組從後六個月開始治療。所有實驗對象均在分配的六個月內接受當地執業鍼灸師最高達20次鍼灸治療。鼓勵患者每日記錄他們的治療經歷。
Professor Avis says the decision to let the participant decide how many treatments and how often they received them was to make the study as close to the “real world” as possible.
Avis教授解釋道，讓實驗對象來決定接受鍼灸治療的次數和頻率是為了使研究儘可能地接近“現實”情況。
After the first six months, the first group reported an average 36.7 % drop in the frequency of hot flashes, compared to before they began treatment. In comparison, the second group noted an increase of 6%. After a year, the first group reported having 29.4% fewer hot flashes and night sweats compared to before treatment.
治療六個月後，第一組患者出現潮熱的頻率相比治療前平均下降了36.7 %，而第二組同比增長6%。治療一年後，第一組出現潮熱盜汗的頻率相比治療前下降了29.4%。
“ Although acupuncture does not work for every woman, our study showed that, on average, acupuncture effectively reduced the frequency of hot flashes and results were maintained for 6 months after the treatments stopped,” said Avis.”
Avis教授說：“雖然鍼灸療法並非適用於所有女性，但我們的研究表明鍼灸有效地降低了潮熱的發生率，且在終止治療後，其療效仍持續了6個月”。
This is not uncommon – at the Acupuncture & Wellness Center, part of our mission to helping patients is first making sure they respond to treatment. More often than not, we have tremendous success with helping reduce the frequency of night sweats and hot flashes.
這一點也不足為奇——因為確保病人能從治療中受益是我們鍼灸健康中心的頭號使命，且在減少盜汗和潮熱發生率方面，我們已經取得了顯著的成就。
She adds: “There are a number of non-hormonal options for treating hot flashes and night sweats that are available to women. Our study showed that acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist can help some women without any side effects. Our study also showed that the maximum benefit occurred after about eight treatments.”
她補充說：“許多非激素療法也能夠有效治療女性潮熱盜汗。我們的研究表明，執業鍼灸師的治療不會帶來任何副作用，且鍼灸治療的最大好處就是治療八次便能達到最佳療效。
These findings correspond with the treatment protocols here at the clinic. As the effects of acupuncture are cumulative, it can take up to several treatments before the body begins to permanently change its behaviors.
這些發現與我們診所的治療方案吻合。因為鍼灸所產生的療效可以累加，所以在身體發生永久性變化之前，我們可以做一些治療進行干預。
譯者：蒙嘉琪