Acupuncture on clinical symptoms and urodynamic measurements in spinal-cord-injured patients with detrusor hyperreflexia

Objectives: We investigated the possible use of acupuncture for the treatme nt of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia in patients wit h chronic spinal cord injuries. Methods: A total of 13 patients (11 males, 2 females) suffering from urinary incontinence due to spinal cord injuries were treated by acupuncture, which was carried out with disposable stainles s steel needles inserted into the bilateral BL-33 (Zhongliao) points on the skin of the third posterior sacral foramina. Urodynamic studies were also performed before acupuncture, immediately after the ist acupuncture and 1 w eek after the 4th acupuncture, In 6 patients, these urodynamic studies were performed again 1 month after the 4th acupuncture. Results: No side effect s were recognized throughout the treatment period. Of the 13 patients, inco ntinence disappeared in 2 (15%) and decreased to 50% or less compared to ba seline in a further 6 (46%). Maximum cystometric bladder capacity increased significantly from 76.2 +/- 62.3 to 148.1 +/- 81.5 ml 1 week after the 4th acupuncture (p < 0.01). In the 6 patients in whom cystometry was repeated 1 month after the 4th acupuncture, bladder capacity decreased from 187.5 +/ - 90.4 ml 1 week after the 4th acupuncture to 128.3 +/- 93.4 ml. Conclusion : in spinal cord injury patients acupuncture could represent another valuab le therapeutic alternative to the treatment of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.