Single-Point Acupuncture for Treatment of Urge Incontinence in Women: A Pilot Nonrandomized Trial.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2018

Publication Title

Med Acupunct

Abstract

Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in middle- and old-age. Previous studies have shown that multiple-point and multiple-frequency acupuncture are efficacious treatment modalities for UI. This study investigated the efficacy of single-point acupuncture for the treatment of UI in women.

Materials and Methods: Twelve female subjects, ages 40–75, participated in the trial. Acupuncture at CV 2 was performed. Before needle insertion, each subject completed the Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale (RUIS). After treatment, subjects were contacted at 2 and 8 weeks to assess treatment effects using the RUIS questionnaire again.

Results: Statistically significant improvements were seen with respect to symptoms of urgency, stress incontinence, impact of urine leakage, quantity of urine leakage, and the total score at 2 weeks postintervention. A statistically significant increase in impact of urine leakage was found at the 8-week follow-up, compared to the 2-week results.

Conclusions: In this pilot trial, single-point acupuncture was associated with significant but short-term improvements in UI symptoms. Future trials should include a control group and an increased sample size for a more-rigorous examination of this potential adjunctive treatment for UI.

PubMed ID

29410717

Volume

30

Issue

1

First Page

21

Last Page

24

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