The Role of Thread Embedding Acupuncture for Pain and Quality of Life in Endometriosis Patients

This study is a one-group pretest-posttest clinical trial. Research subjects will receive a one-time thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) combined with dienogest as standard therapy for 8 weeks. The outcomes assessed will be pain intensity (NRS score) and quality of life score (Endometriosis Health Profile-30 core score) 4 and 8 weeks after receiving TEA combined with standard therapy (posttest), compared with standard therapy alone (pretest).

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18-45 years.
• Subjects diagnosed with endometriosis from laparoscopy, ultrasound, or histopathology.
• Subjects experience at least one type of pain including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, or dysuria with a minimum NRS score of 4.
• The subject has undergone endometriosis therapy with dienogest for at least 1 month but the NRS score is still ≥4.
• Subjects are willing to follow research procedures and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who have wounds, inflammation, infection, lumps, or eczema at the puncture site.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Subjects with blood clotting disorders or who are taking blood thinning medication.
• Have a history of diabetes mellitus, malignancy, psychiatric disorders, keloids, allergies to stainless steel or PDO threads.
• Subjects who received surgical therapy in the last 3 months.
• Subjects who have been undergoing acupuncture therapy in the last 2 weeks or TEA in the last 6 months.