Promising results on electroacupuncture for SUI

This study examined the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in reducing stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Authors concluded that 6 weeks of electroacupuncture was more effective than a non-active sham procedure in reducing urine leakage.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is involuntary urine leakage during exertion, sneezing, coughing, lifting, or any other physical activity. It has been estimated that the prevalence of SUI could be as high as 49%. Alternative therapies for SUI, such as acupuncture, have recently come under the focus of investigation. Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture where a small electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. Early studies have shown promising results in reducing SUI when electroacupuncture was applied to the lower back. However, more studies are needed.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture on SUI.

504 women with SUI were included in this study. Women were randomly assigned to receive either active electroacupuncture to the lower spine for 6 weeks or a sham (placebo) electroacupuncture procedure with no active effect. SUI was measured before and after electroacupuncture.

The average amount of urine leaked in 1 hour (based on the weight of incontinence pads) was significantly reduced with active electroacupuncture. It was reduced from an average of 18.4 g to 8.2 g at 6 weeks. This was significantly greater compared to the reduction in the sham procedure group (from 19.1 g to 16.8 g).

64.6% of women in the active electroacupuncture group showed a decrease in urine leakage of at least 50% at 6 weeks. This was significantly greater compared to women undergoing the sham procedure (21.7%).

On average, active electroacupuncture reduced the number of SUI episodes over 72 hours more than the sham procedure. The electroacupuncture group reported greater improvements in SUI severity. No differences in urine pad use were observed between treatment groups.

Side effects such as bruising and fatigue occurred in 1.6% of patients in the active electroacupuncture group and in 2% of patients receiving sham electroacupuncture. 

This study concluded that electroacupuncture to the lower spine reduced urine leakage more than the sham procedure. Authors advised that further studies are needed on the long-term effectiveness of electroacupuncture for SUI.