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[Auricular acupuncture in patients with detrusor overactivity: a pilot study]
T Bschleipfer1, G Lüdecke, M Durschnabel
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Straße 7, 35385, Gießen, Deutschland, Th.B@gmx.de.
Auricular acupuncture (AAP) did not significantly improve overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms or urodynamic measures in patients with OAB/detrusor overactivity (DO). Immediate effects of AAP on OAB/DO appear unlikely based on this study.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Integrative Medicine
- Acupuncture Research
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO) are common conditions.
- Body acupuncture has shown potential benefits for OAB/DO patients.
- Auricular acupuncture (AAP) is hypothesized to provide immediate therapeutic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate urodynamic effects of auricular acupuncture (AAP) in patients diagnosed with overactive bladder/detrusor overactivity (OAB/DO).
- To assess whether AAP can induce significant changes in bladder function parameters relevant to OAB/DO.
Main Methods:
- 14 patients with OAB/DO underwent baseline cystometry.
- Bilateral auricular acupuncture (AAP) was administered.
- A second cystometry was performed 20-30 minutes post-AAP, with data analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.
Main Results:
- No local or systemic complications were observed following AAP.
- Detrusor overactivity (DO) persisted in all patients; urge urinary incontinence (UUI) persisted in 85% (11/13).
- Intravesical pressure showed a non-significant decrease. Residual volume (RV) disappeared in 22% (2/9) and significantly reduced in 78% (7/9) of patients.
Conclusions:
- This study did not demonstrate a significant immediate influence of AAP on DO or UUI in OAB/DO patients.
- The findings suggest that an immediate therapeutic effect of AAP for OAB/DO is unlikely.
- Further research is warranted to explore the impact of repeated AAP sessions on urodynamic parameters.
