Auriculotherapy in adults and elderly people with lower urinary tract symptoms: an integrative review

To analyze the evidence available in the literature on the use of auriculotherapy in adults and elderly people with lower urinary tract symptoms.

An integrative literature review. Primary study search was carried out in nine relevant health databases. The characterization of studies regarding the method of application of auriculotherapy was based on the Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture recommendations.

296 studies were found, 17 pre-selected and eight included in the review. Favorable results from auriculotherapy were evidenced in specific populations, such as elderly men with prostatic disorders and individuals undergoing surgical procedures. The main urinary symptoms addressed were frequency, urgency, nocturia, incomplete voiding, intermittency, weak flow, effort to start urination, incontinence, and urinary retention.

Despite the limited number of studies and weaknesses with regard to sample size and different intervention protocols, it is suggested that auriculotherapy, associated or not with other complementary therapies, may contribute to lower urinary tract symptom control in adults and elderly people.