[Acupuncture for urinary incontinence in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. A preliminary report].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the possible use of acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperflexia in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.


METHODS
A total of 8 male chronic spinal cord injured patients with urinary incontinence were treated by acupuncture. Their ages ranged from 20 to 33 years (mean 27). The level of lesion was cervical in 4 and thoracic in 4. Detrusor hyperreflexia with uninhibited bladder contraction was confirmed by urodynamic studies in all of them. Acupuncture was performed using a disposable stainless needle (0.3 mm in diameter, 60 mm in length), which was inserted into bilateral BL-33 (Zhongliao) points and was rotated manually for 10 minutes. The treatment was conducted every week for 4 weeks. Urodynamic studies were repeated, immediately after the beginning of and a week after the completion of the treatment. Urinary symptoms were also checked before and after the treatment.


RESULTS
No side effects were recognized throughout the treatment period. Among 8 patients, incontinence was controlled completely in 3 (38%) and partially in 3 (38%). The average maximum cystometric bladder capacity increased significantly, from 42.3 +/- 37.9 ml to 148.1 +/- 101.2 ml by the treatment (p < 0.05), while the average maximum bladder pressure was not changed.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that acupuncture could be a promising alternative for conventional therapies for urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries.
Honjo
H
H
Department of Physiology, Meiji University of Oriental Medicine.
Kitakoji
H
H
Kawakita
K
K
Saitoh
M
M
Ukimuta
O
O
Kojima
M
M
Watanabe
H
H
Aramaki
S
S
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*