---
title: Is pain sensitivity different in people with severe PMS? | Niyora
description: People with high PMS had significantly lower pain sensitivity at one specific acupuncture point (SP6) but not at other points tested. This suggests a connecti
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-alteration-of-pain-sensitivity-at-disease-specific-acupuncture-points-in-2007/
---

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- Is pain sensitivity different in people with severe PMS?

Survey study, 2007

# Is pain sensitivity different in people with severe PMS?

People with high PMS had significantly lower pain sensitivity at one specific acupuncture point (SP6) but not at other points tested. This suggests a connection between PMS and pain sensitivity.

 Early or limited evidence

46 female middle school students divided into high and low PMS groups

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 46 female middle school students. Researchers measured pain sensitivity (pressure pain threshold) at acupuncture points and surrounding areas using a device called an algometer. Students were divided into high and low PMS groups based on questionnaire scores.

## What they found

The high PMS group had significantly lower pain threshold at the SP6 point (13.50 ± 0.73 kilopascals versus 16.30 ± 0.66 kilopascals in the low PMS group, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found at other acupuncture points or non-acupuncture sites.

## What it means for you

This supports the theory that pain sensitivity changes at specific acupuncture points in PMS. However, the study was very small and included only school-age girls. Further studies are needed before using pain sensitivity as a diagnostic tool.

13.50 kPa

pain threshold in high PMS

16.30 kPa

pain threshold in low PMS

46

female students studied

## About the study

Original title The alteration of pain sensitivity at disease-specific acupuncture points in premenstrual syndrome Authors Chae Y, Kim HY, Lee HJ et al. Journal The journal of physiological sciences : JPS Year 2007 Study design Survey study Participants 46 What was tested None (observational study of pain sensitivity) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2170/physiolsci.rp012706](https://doi.org/10.2170/physiolsci.rp012706)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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