Single-point acupuncture for treatment of urge incontinence in women: a pilot nonrandomized trial
Item
Title
Single-point acupuncture for treatment of urge incontinence in women: a pilot nonrandomized trial
Description
Med Acupunct (2018), Barnes, Mary Ann
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 more-rigorous examination of this potential adjunctive treatment for UI.
Alternative Title
Med Acupunct
Creator
Date
Language
English
Source
doi
10.1089/acu.2017.1244
issn
1933-6594
issue
1
page end
24
page start
21
volume
30