Prospective randomized trial using laser acupuncture versus desmopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis

Objectives: Several treatment modalities for children suffering from monosy mptomatic nocturnal enuresis are available, but desmopressin is a well-esta blished option. On the other hand, alternative nonpharmacological therapies such as laser acupuncture are more frequently requested by the parents. To our knowledge, there is no prospective randomized trial which evaluated th e efficacy of such an alternative approach in comparison with the widesprea d use of desmopressin. Methods: Forty children aged over 5 years presenting with primary nocturnal enuresis underwent a previous evaluation of their voiding function to assu re normal voiding patterns and a high nighttime urine production. Then the children were randomized into two groups: group A children were treated wit h desmopressin alone, and group B children underwent laser acupuncture. All children were investigated after a minimum follow-up period of 6 month to evaluate the duration of the response. Results:The children of both groups had an initial mean frequency of 5.5 we t nights per week. After a minimum follow-up period of 6 months reevaluatio n revealed a complete success rate of 75% in the desmopressin-treated group . Additional 10% of the children had a reduction of their wet nights of mor e than 50%. On the other hand, 6 months after laser acupuncture, 65% of the randomized children were completely dry. Another 10% had a reduction of th e enuresis frequency of more than 50% per week. 20% of the children in the desmopressin-treated group did not respond at all as compared with 15% in t he acupuncture-treated group. Statistical evaluation revealed no significan t differences among the response rates in both groups. Conclusion: Im comparison with pharmacological therapy using desmopressin, our study shows that laser acupuncture should be taken into account as an a lternative, noninvasive, painless, cost-effective, and short-term therapy f or children with primary nocturnal enuresis in case of a normal bladder fun ction and high nighttime urine production. Success rates indicated no stati stically significant differences between the well-established desmopressin therapy and the alternative laser acupuncture. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.