A prospective, randomized pilot trial of acupuncture of the kidney-bladder distinct meridian for lower urinary tract symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a pilot trial to assess the response of lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate specific antigen (PSA) to acupuncture in a population of patients biopsy negative for prostate cancer.


METHODS
A total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study groups, including observation for 3 months with 6 blood samples for PSA at set intervals, 9 sessions of acupuncture in 3 months to points of the kidney-bladder distinct meridian expected to treat the prostate with 6 blood samples for PSA at set intervals and 9 sessions of acupuncture in 3 months to points not expected to treat the prostate with 6 blood samples for PSA at set intervals. The effect of acupuncture on lower urinary tract symptoms was assessed monthly using the International Prostate Symptom Score.


RESULTS
Trend analysis (repeated measures ANOVA) revealed no significant changes in the 3-month period in the randomized arms. Statistical analysis showed p = 0.063 for the International Prostate Symptom Score, p = 0.945 for PSA and p = 0.37 for the free-to-total PSA ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture to the kidney-bladder distinct meridian neither relieves lower urinary tract symptoms nor impacts PSA.
Johnstone
Peter A
PA
Radiation Oncology Division and Urology Department, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA.
Bloom
Tammy L
TL
Niemtzow
Richard C
RC
Crain
Donald
D
Riffenburgh
Robert H
RH
Amling
Christopher L
CL
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications; D017211:Treatment Failure; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen