Acupuncture for Uterine Fibroids: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Segmental Electroacupuncture, Manual Acupuncture, and Sham Acupuncture Publisher



Hooshyarazar E ; Layegh P ; Hafizi L ; Dadgarmoghaddam M ; Graca S ; Kazemi AH ; Farahmand SK ; Bidouee F ; Azizi H
Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Uterine fibroids are prevalent among women of reproductive age. They have a negative impact on females' private and social life. As surgical and non-surgical approaches lead to some shortcomings such as reproduction failure, recurrence, and adverse effects of medications, complementary and integrative treatments have gained attention. Acupuncture is used for uterine fibroids in practice; however, the evidence is limited. This study aims to compare the effects of segmental electroacupuncture, manual acupuncture, and sham acupuncture on symptoms, mass size, and Doppler indices of uterine arteries in patients with uterine fibroids. Methods: This study is a three-arm, sham-controlled, parallel-group, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Seventy-two cases with uterine fibroids type 1-6 according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification will enter the study. They will be randomized into 3 groups, segmental electroacupuncture, manual traditional acupuncture and sham acupuncture and undergo an eight-week intervention, then will be followed up for 8 weeks. Fibroid size, uterine arteries’ resistance index, pulsatility index, and diameter; Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire scores, and adverse events will be compared before and immediately after the intervention, and after 8 weeks follow-up. The outcomes will be reported as statistically significant at a probability level of P value < 0.05. Results: The results of this protocol will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Conclusion: This clinical trial will be the first to provide substantial evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of uterine fibroids, while also suggesting a mechanism through the analysis of uterine artery indices. Moreover, evaluating the differences in efficacy between segmental and traditional manual acupuncture will further facilitate the optimization of acupuncture methods for uterine fibroids. © 2026