The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acupuncture on urinary incontinence and to discuss why these acupoints were selected.
Seven databases were searched for any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of acupuncture or acupressure as a treatment for urinary incontinence, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was utilized to evaluate the risk of bias in each study. Four RCTs met all the inclusion criteria. The results from the selected RCTs failed to demonstrate any statistically significant improvements in urinary incontinence, although acupuncture or acupressure did exhibit favorable effects on overactive bladder symptoms and quality of life, in comparison with other conventional therapies. There have been limited results supporting acupuncture or acupressure as an effective treatment method for urinary incontinence; therefore, further RCTs are required to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture or acupressure in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
Written by:
Paik SH, Han SR, Kwon OJ, Ahn YM, Lee BC, Ahn SY. Are you the author?
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-702, Republic of Korea.
Reference: Exp Ther Med. 2013 Sep;6(3):773-780.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2013.1210
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24137264
UroToday.com Urinary Incontinence Section
