Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials

  • Authors:
    • Sun‑Ho Paik
    • Su‑Ryun Han
    • Oh‑Jun Kwon
    • Young‑Min  Ahn
    • Byung‑Cheol Lee
    • Se‑Young Ahn
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 9, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1210
  • Pages: 773-780
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Abstract

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.
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September 2013
Volume 6 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Paik SH, Han SR, Kwon OJ, Ahn YM, Lee BC and Ahn SY: Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials. Exp Ther Med 6: 773-780, 2013
APA
Paik, S., Han, S., Kwon, O., Ahn, Y., Lee, B., & Ahn, S. (2013). Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 6, 773-780. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1210
MLA
Paik, S., Han, S., Kwon, O., Ahn, Y., Lee, B., Ahn, S."Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6.3 (2013): 773-780.
Chicago
Paik, S., Han, S., Kwon, O., Ahn, Y., Lee, B., Ahn, S."Acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A review of randomized controlled trials". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6, no. 3 (2013): 773-780. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1210