Chiropractic treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis: a case series of 33 consecutive patients

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Urology

Background:

• Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is involuntary urination during sleep in children aged 5 years and older.
• PNE affects a significant number of children and can impact their quality of life.
• Current PNE treatments have varying success rates and potential side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific chiropractic treatment (NeuroImpulse Protocol) for primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE).
• To assess the impact of chiropractic care on wet night frequency in pediatric patients.
• To identify prognostic factors influencing treatment response.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 33 patient records of children (3-18 years) treated for PNE over 3 years.
• Data collection included baseline and 12-month wet night frequency, treatment visits, and presence of constipation/family history.
• Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, Friedman's test, and Dunn's Multiple Comparison test.

Main Results:

• A 66.6% resolution rate of PNE was observed within 12 months of chiropractic treatment.
• The mean number of treatments for responders was 2.05.
• Resolution of constipation was crucial for successful treatment; its presence with a positive family history indicated a poor prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Chiropractic treatment, specifically the NeuroImpulse Protocol, shows potential effectiveness in resolving PNE in children and adolescents.
• The findings suggest chiropractic care as a viable complementary or alternative approach for PNE management.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the mechanisms of action.