Acupuncture and Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Pulse Generator and Stress Axis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Does Low-frequency Electro-acupuncture Restore Sensitivity of the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Pulse Generator and Stress Axis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00921492

Acronym

PCOSLFEA

Enrollment

Registered

2009-06-16

Start date

2009-02-28

Completion date

2010-12-31

Last updated

2018-08-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Keywords

Luteinizing hormone, Cortisol, HPA axis, HPO axis, Ovulation, Heart rate variability, Psychological distress and quality of life

Brief summary

Hypothesis The overall hypothesis is that non-obese (BMI \<30) women with PCOS have high luteinising hormone (LH) and cortisol pulse frequency and amplitude and that repeated low-frequency EA restore these alterations and induce ovulation.

Detailed description

Aim 1. Elucidate if low-frequency EA induce ovulation and restore LH frequency and amplitude as well as sex steroid secretion as compared to a control group receiving same amount of attention. Aim 2. Elucidate if low-frequency EA restore cortisol frequency and amplitude compared to a control group receiving same amount of attention. Aim 3. Elucidate if low-frequency EA restore psychological distress and quality of life as compared to a control group receiving same amount of attention.in women with PCOS.

Interventions

DEVICELow-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA)

2 Hz EA during 30 minutes, twice a week, 14 weeks.

OTHERMeeting a therapist - attention control

Meeting a therapist, twice a week during 30 minutes in order to control for the increased amount of attention.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to 39 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* 18 - 39 years, inclusive * 30 ≤ BMI * History of irregular menstrual cycles * Clinical and/or biochemical androgen excess (determined during screening)

Exclusion criteria

Medical

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Frequent blood sampling every 10th minute during an overnight stay in order to measure changes in LH and cortisol pulsatility before and after treatment. A third assessment will be made in those participants who ovulate during the 14 week study.	16 weeks

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Ovulation, health related quality of life	16 weeks

Countries

Sweden

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 5, 2026