Effects of electroacupuncture on patients with chronic urinary retention caused by a lower motor neuron lesion

Abstract

Chronic urinary retention (CUR) is defined as a non-painful bladder that remains palpable or percussible after the patient has passed urine. Acupuncture may decrease PVR and improve bladder function in patients with neurogenic CUR. The aim of this study was to preliminarily observe the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for patients with CUR caused by a lower motor neuron lesion and to provide some therapeutic data for further study. This study was a pilot study of 30 patients with CUR caused by a lower motor neuron lesion. Patients were treated with EA for 12 weeks with 36 sessions of EA. Responders were defined as participants with a decline in postvoid residual urine (PVR) volume after spontaneous urination of ≥50% from baseline. The proportion of responders, change in PVR volume from baseline after spontaneous urination, and the proportion of patients with severe difficulty with urination, who required assistance with bladder emptying and with stool retention, were measured at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Thirty patients were included in this study, and 23 completed 12 weeks of treatment. The proportion of responders at weeks 4, 8, and 12 was 6.67%, 28%, and 43.48%, respectively. Decrease in PVR volume, compared with baseline, was significant at all asessment timepoints. The proportion of patients with severe difficulty with urination, who required assistance with bladder emptying and with stool retention, decreased after treatment. EA is a potential treatment for improving bladder function in patients with CUR caused by a lower motor neuron lesion.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Bladder Dysfunction via Regulation of MLC and MLCK Phosphorylation in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…It is reported that acupuncture is effective in improving urodynamic function and various symptoms related to DBD, and thus acupuncture may be a novel form of alternative therapy for the radical treatment of DBD [ 16 ]. Previous studies have also revealed the advantages of acupuncture in the treatment of bladder dysfunction, which includes alleviation of symptoms (improvement of chronic urinary retention and incontinence), improvement in the quality of life of patients, and delayed progression of DBD [ 17 ]. Electroacupuncture (EA) is based on conventional acupuncture treatment, wherein an electric current is passed through a specific electrical device to stimulate the body's acupoints.…”

Chinese medicine therapies for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury

“…As a result, increasing attention has been paid to the clinical effects and potential mechanisms of Chinese medicine for NB. [ 14 , 25 ] For instance, electroacupuncture has been reported to exhibit an important role in the improvement of micturition reflex after SCI, and in turn accelerating the recovery of the bladder function. [ 26 ] Tanshinone IIA, the active ingredients of Chinese herb “Danshen” ( Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge ), has been found to improve urodynamic parameters and bladder functional recovery after SCI induced NB by reducing the inflammation and edema of the bladder tissue as well as enhancing spinal cord regeneration.…”

“…Chinese medicine has the advantages of diverse methods, extensive experience, and easy operation. As a result, increasing attention has been paid to the clinical effects and potential mechanisms of Chinese medicine for NB [14,25] . For instance, electroacupuncture has been reported to exhibit an important role in the improvement of micturition reflex after SCI, and in turn accelerating the recovery of the bladder function [26] .…”

“…Many of these technologies have already been applied extensively in the treatment of NB after SCI, and some have shown promising results. [ 14 ] However, owing to the variable severity of disease and the differences in quality of studies, the efficacy of different interventions varies. Thus, it makes sense to identify the optimal intervention or their combinations for NB after SCI.…”

“…There are at least 18 interventions of Chinese medicine based on the guidelines developed by State Administration of Chinese medicine of China [13] . Many of these technologies have already been applied extensively in the treatment of NB after SCI, and some have shown promising results [14] . However, owing to the variable severity of disease and the differences in quality of studies, the efficacy of different interventions varies.…”