Acupuncture for menopausal vasomotor symptoms: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Table 1 Standardised Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) history and examination used in the Acupause study

	Kidney *Yin* deficiency scale	Kidney *Yang* deficiency scale
History	Sensations of heat in the body with sweating^a	Cold limbs^a
	Sensations of heat in the body with sweating^a	Dizziness or vertigo
	Feelings of heat in the palms, soles and chest	Ache and soreness in the lower back
	Dry mouth or dry hard stool	Frequency of micturition
	Aching and soreness in the lower back and knees Dizziness or tinnitus	Low energy and pale complexion
Examination	Red tongue with scant coat	Pale tongue with thin coat
	Rapid fine pulse	Sunken, fine pulse without force

Each symptom is scored on a 4-point Likert scale for both frequency and severity in the previous month. A score of 1 is given for each tongue and pulse examination that meets the stated criteria.
^aThese symptoms receive a double score as they are considered cardinal symptoms.

ISSN: 1745-6215