An interventional study of Auricular acupressure therapy and Sham auricular acupressure therapy in Premenstrual Syndrome, sponsored by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Completed at 1 site in Vietnam. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-09.
Sponsored by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common gynecological disorder that significantly affects the quality of life for women of reproductive age, with symptoms including emotional, behavioral, and physical disturbances occurring approximately one week before menstruation. PMS is especially prevalent among female undergraduate students, who often experience heightened stress due to academic pressures and lack emotional coping strategies. While pharmacological treatments, such as SSRIs and hormonal therapies, have been used to manage PMS symptoms, they may have side effects and are not always effective in the long term. This has led to increasing interest in alternative treatments such as traditional medicine. Auricular acupressure, a non-invasive and low-risk method, has shown promising results in managing PMS symptoms and is gaining attention as a possible solution.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupressure in reducing PMS symptoms in female undergraduate students. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Participants will:
Participants and Methods: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted with 60 female undergraduate students, aged 18 to 25 years, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, who exhibit symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) were eligible for inclusion. Participants were required to meet the inclusion criteria and not fall under any exclusion criteria.
Participants were randomly assigned into two groups in a 1:1 ratio: the intervention group received auricular acupressure using Cowherb seeds (Wangbuliuxing seeds) applied to specific acupoints, including Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6a), Endocrine (CO18), Liver (CO12), Kidney (CO10), Subcortex (AT4), and Zero Point, while the control group received a sham treatment. The sham treatment involved a patch of similar size to the Cowherb seed patch but without any active ingredients, applied to the same acupoint locations as the intervention group.
Both groups were provided with instructions on lifestyle changes to help manage PMS symptoms. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks (2 menstrual cycles), with weekly patch changes alternating between the left and right ears. PMS symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-Bref scale. Data were collected at baseline, after 1 week, and after 8 weeks. Adverse effects were carefully monitored throughout the study period.
177 studies on the registry are indexed under Premenstrual Syndrome; 30 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 66 is close to the median of 70 across 153 interventional studies indexed under Premenstrual Syndrome.
Browse Premenstrual Syndrome studies →University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City is the lead sponsor of 118 studies on the registry; 39 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Auricular acupressure therapy once a week on one ear for a total of 8 weeks (8 sessions), with treatment alternating between the two ears. Lifestyle modifications were followed according to the guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG 2017) on PMS management.
Other: Auricular acupressure therapy · Other: Lifestyle modifications
Sham auricular acupressure once a week on one ear for a total of 8 weeks (8 sessions), with treatment alternating between the two ears. Lifestyle modifications were followed according to the guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG 2017) on PMS management.
Other: Sham auricular acupressure therapy · Other: Lifestyle modifications
Auricular acupressure will be performed using Cowherb seeds (Wangbuliuxing seeds) applied to specific acupoints, including Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6a), Endocrine (CO18), Liver (CO12), Kidney (CO10), Subcortex (AT4), and Zero Point on one ear, with treatment administered once a week, alternating between the left and right ears. In total, auricular acupressure was applied 8 times over a period of 8 weeks. The first treatment session occurred 5-7 days prior to the onset of menstruation. Participants were instructed to perform acupressure at the acupoint sites three times daily-morning, noon, and evening-pressing each point for 1 minute per session.
Also known as: Auricular Acupressure, Ear Acupressure
Sham auricular acupressure therapy will be performed using similarly sized adhesive patches without seeds, applied to the same acupoint locations as in the intervention group. The procedure steps and the duration of the trial were the same as in the auricular acupressure group.
Also known as: Sham Ear Acupressure
Lifestyle modifications will be followed according to the "Guidelines for the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome" by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), which will include: Regular moderate exercise (such as walking, yoga, or swimming), stress reduction, and ensuring quality sleep (7-8 hours per night); Reducing intake of salt, sugar, and foods containing saturated fats; Increasing intake of high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables; Avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol, and other stimulants.
Also known as: Lifestyle changes
The change in PSST scores
This is a quantitative variable, with the unit being score. Scoring is done by asking participants based on the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) with 19 items. Each item is scored according to the Likert-4 scale, and the total score from the 19 items represents the overall PMS symptom score.
Time frame: From baseline to 1 week and to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
The change in WHOQOL-Bref scores
This is a quantitative variable, with the unit being points. The scoring is done by asking participants 26 questions to assess various domains of quality of life, including Physical Health, Psychological, Social Relationships, and Environment. Responses are categorized based on the Likert-5 scale. The average score for each domain is converted to a 100-point scale.
Time frame: From baseline to 1 week and to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Adverse effects
Adverse effects occurring during the treatment and follow-up periods, regardless of their association with the interventions, will be recorded and managed with appropriate measures.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 8 weeks
Plan to share: Yes
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf, Csr
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City