Effect of electroacupuncture versus solifenacin for moderate and severe overactive bladder: a multi-centre,...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neurology
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urgency, frequency, and nocturia.
• Electroacupuncture presents a potential alternative therapy for OAB, though evidence remains limited.
• A clinical trial registration (ChiCTR1800019928) confirms the study's protocol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and non-inferiority of electroacupuncture compared to solifenacin for OAB symptom management.
• To determine if electroacupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe overactive bladder.

Main Methods:

• A three-arm, multi-center, randomized controlled trial involving 420 patients with moderate to severe OAB.
• Participants were assigned to electroacupuncture, sham electroacupuncture, or solifenacin groups (140 each) for 12 weeks.
• Primary outcome: change in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). Secondary outcomes included changes in voiding frequency, incontinence, and urgency episodes.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to compare the primary outcome (change in OABSS) between the three groups at 12 weeks.
• Secondary outcomes will assess symptom improvement at multiple time points (4, 8, 12, 20, and 32 weeks).
• Adverse events will be systematically recorded and analyzed.

Conclusions:

• This trial aims to determine if electroacupuncture is non-inferior to solifenacin in treating overactive bladder symptoms.
• The findings will provide crucial evidence on the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for OAB management.