Authors (including presenting author) :
Yeung YK(1), Lo HY(1), Ng SW(1) , Law WS(1), Yip HS(1), Leung WC(1), Fung KY(1), Lau CH(2), Lau WL(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital, (2) Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
Approximately 20.8% of the Asian population is affected by detrusor instability, causing low quality of life. 66% of patient fails traditional conservative management which includes bladder training and pelvic floor muscle exercise. Medication intervention being second line treatment has some side effects on elderly population and patients may be unresponsive to the treatment. Third line treatment using surgical options has some serious side effects. Recent studies show significant improvement in Overactive Bladder (OAB) syndrome with minimal to no side effects apart from minor needle site bleeding and bruising after electroacupuncture. Therefore, electroacupuncture with evidences from studies, is a promising treatment option for these patients.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on urge incontinence.
Methodology :
Patients with confirmed urge incontinence by Cystometrogram were recruited. They were selected as they were either unfit for medication or with no response from medication. Patients attended an incontinence educational talk followed by one-on-one assessment and treatment on bladder training and pelvic floor muscle exercise. They then received a total of 12 sessions of electroacupuncture weekly. Outcome measures: • Frequency of incontinence (per week) • Urinary frequency (per week) • Frequency of nocturia (per day) • Minimum voiding volume (milliliter) • Maximum voiding volume (milliliter) • OABSS Overactive bladder symptom score (3-5 mild, 6-11 moderate, 12 or above severe)
Result & Outcome :
Eighteen patients completed the program from August 2023 to December 2024. Frequency of incontinence per week improved from 20.5 +/- 19.32 to 8.50 +/- 11.04 (p=0.002). The urinary frequency in the day time per week improved from 10+/-2.86 to 7.72+/-1.84(p=0.003). The nocturia frequency per day was improved from 3.11 +/- 1.68 to 1.5 +/- 0.71 (p=0.001). The minimum voiding volume improved from 76.11ml +/- 48.04 to 108.33ml +/- 55.23 (p=0.028). The maximum voiding volume improved from 258.06ml +/- 174.23 to 316.39ml +/- 172.86 (p= 0.028). OABSS score post 12 sessions of electroacupuncture improved from 9.94ml +/- 2.84 to 7.44ml +/- 2.79 (p=0.001). Electoracupuncture improve urinary incontinence symptoms in female population as reflected in improvement in frequency of incontinence, urinary and nocturia frequency, minimum and maximum voiding volume and OABSS.
