Systematic review, 2001
Do complementary or alternative therapies work for premenstrual syndrome?
No strong evidence supports any complementary or alternative therapy for PMS. Twenty-seven trials studied various treatments, but most had methodological problems and positive findings were not compelling.
What they did
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of complementary or alternative therapies for PMS. Searched seven databases and checked reference lists. Included 27 trials published in peer-reviewed journals.
What they found
Twenty-seven trials studied herbal medicine (7 trials), homeopathy (1), dietary supplements (13), relaxation (1), massage (1), reflexology (1), chiropractic (1), and biofeedback (2). Despite some positive findings, evidence was not compelling. Most trials suffered from methodological limitations.
What it means for you
These alternative treatments may help some women, but the research quality was poor. No therapy can be recommended based on current evidence. Better-designed and larger studies are needed.
27
Randomized controlled trials reviewed
13
Trials testing dietary supplements
7
Trials testing herbal medicine
About the study
- Original title
- Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
- Authors
- Stevinson C, Ernst E
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Herbal medicine, homeopathy, dietary supplements, relaxation, massage, reflexology, chiropractic, biofeedback
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1067/mob.2001.113643
Topics
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