Acupuncture has been used to relieve hot flashes in postmenopausal women, but not in hemodialysis-dependent women.
Objective:
This study explored perceived experiences of hot flashes and their acupuncture treatment in two postmenopausal hemodialysis-dependent women.
Design, Setting, and Patients:
Two postmenopausal women undergoing regular hemodialysis received acupuncture treatment for their hot flashes. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of postmenopausal hemodialysis-dependent women with regard to hot flashes and the acupuncture treatments that they received.
Intervention:
Two patients received twelve sessions of individualized manual acupuncture treatment for 4 consecutive weeks.
Main Outcome Measure:
A research investigator conducted a single-session interview to identify the 2 patients' perceived experiences of hot flashes and acupuncture treatments.
Results:
Hot flashes had a considerable impact on several aspects of the patients' quality of life, including their physical and mental health, social relationships, and adherence to hemodialysis. Both patients reported that acupuncture was an effective, acceptable, and feasible treatment option for their hot flashes.
Conclusions:
Postmenopausal hemodialysis-dependent women may perceive that acupuncture is effective for managing hot flashes. More research is needed to understand the perceptions and experiences regarding the use of acupuncture in this population.
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