Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex male dysfunction, mostly seen in young and middle-aged men with a history of more than 3 months. As a traditional therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been proven an effective method to treat CP/CPPS in recent years. Though some meta-analyses on acupuncture for chronic prostatitis were published in 2018 and 2019, most of the included studies were low in quality according to the JADAD score (JADAD < 4). The conclusions of acupuncture for CP/CPPS remain indefinite. Purpose. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for CP/CPPS by including high-quality literature only (JADAD ≥ 4) to provide a reliable basis for clinical applications and research. Method. Nine electronic databases were searched from inception to March 1, 2022, and only randomized controlled trials (RCT) with high-quality (JADAD ≥ 4) were included. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. and was verified through trial sequential analysis (TSA). We carried out a sensitivity analysis for the heterogeneity (I2 ≥ 50%). Publication bias was explored using a funnel plot. Result. Ten RCTs (11 trials) of high-quality methodology involving 798 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that compared to sham acupuncture (SAT) and western medicine (WM), acupuncture (AT) played superior roles for CP/CPPS patients in pain score, NIH-CPSI score, quality of life score, urinary symptom, and efficacy rate. As for the adverse effects, 4 RCTs described mild hematoma and pain in AT and SAT groups, while specific symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and low blood pressure were reported in WM groups. Conclusion. This meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture has measurable benefits on CP/CPPS, and security has also been ensured. However, this meta-analysis only included 10 RCTs; thus, RCTs with a larger sample size and longer-term observation are required to verify the effectiveness of acupuncture further in the future.

Acupuncture: New Uses for an Ancient Treatment or a Waste of Time? Part II

“…Although some meta-analyses on acupuncture for chronic prostatitis were published in 2018 and 2019, most of the included studies were low in quality. In this study, 9 electronic databases were searched from inception to March 1, 2022 21. The researchers included 11 trials (10 of them RCTs) of high-quality methodology involving 798.…”

“…In this study, 9 electronic databases were searched from inception to March 1, 2022. 21 The researchers included 11 trials (10 of them RCTs) of high-quality methodology involving 798. Meta-analysis showed that compared with sham acupuncture and Western medicine, acupuncture played superior roles for CP/CPPS patients in the pain score, NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score, quality of life score, urinary symptom, and efficacy rate.…”

Behandlung des chronischen Beckenschmerzsyndroms (CPPS) und der chronischen Prostatitis (CP)

“…Die Inzidenz dieser komplexen neurologischen Dysfunktion nimmt von Jahr zu Jahr zu. Sie liegt weltweit bei etwa 9% und die Rezidivrate bei 20–50% 15 . Die Prävalenz liegt deutschlandweit bei ca.…”

“…In einem aktuellen systematischen Review untersuchten Pan et al 15 die Studienlage bzgl. des Einsatzes der Akupunktur bei CPPS/CP.…”

“…Ein ähnlicher Mechanismus kann bei Männern für die chronische Prostatitis angenommen werden, denn die Haltebänder der Prostata sind ebenfalls sowohl vegetativ als auch somatoafferent innerviert.▶Tab. 1 UPOINT-Systematik [7].In einem aktuellen systematischen Review untersuchten Pan et al[15] die Studienlage bzgl. des Einsatzes der Akupunktur bei CPPS/CP.…”