Electroacupuncture Improves Bladder and Bowel Function in Patients with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Results from a Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

In order to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for chronic bowel and bladder dysfunction after traumatic spinal cord injury, 14 patients were treated with electroacupuncture once a day, five times a week for the first four weeks, and once every other day, three times a week for the following four weeks. The patients were then followed up for six months. After treatment, four (4/14, 28.57%) patients resumed normal voiding; six (6/14, 42.86%) resumed normal voiding for no less than half of all micturition behaviors; four (4/14, 28.57%) required supplementary urination methods for higher than half of all micturition behaviors. These effects persisted during followup. Mean postvoid RUV decreased by 190.29 ± 101.87 mL (P < 0.01) after treatment and by 198.86 ± 112.18 mL (P < 0.01) during followup. Patients' weekly urinary incontinence frequency decreased 7.14 ± 46.34 times/week (P = 0.036) after treatment and decreased 49.86 ± 44.38 times/week during followup. After treatment, four (4/14, 28.57%) patients resumed normal bowel movements (P = 0.025); five (5/14, 35.71%) reduced the dependence on supplementary defecation methods; five (5/14, 35.71%) had no changes. In patients with chronic bowel and bladder dysfunction after traumatic SCI, EA may provide a valuable alternative tool in improving patients' self-controlled bowel and bladder functions with minimal side effects.

Current epidemiological profile and features of traumatic spinal cord injury in Heilongjiang province, Northeast China: implications for monitoring and control

“…This will assist in the implementation of preventive measures and reasonable allocation of medical resources. [12][13][14] Despite some research that has been conducted on the prevalence of TSCI in China (Table 1), there have not been any regional estimates of the incidence or epidemiological characteristics of TSCI in Heilongjiang province, northeast China. Social and economic circumstances of Heilongjiang province are different relative to other areas of China.…”

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Bladder and Bowel Function in Patients with Transverse Myelitis: A Prospective Observational Study

“… 33 Voiding disorder is another characteristic of bladder dysfunction caused by TM. Our previous observational studies on patients with cauda equina injury 34 and with traumatic spinal cord injury 18 indicated that EA could reduce the postvoid RUV by 303.6±148.8 mL and 190.29±101.87 mL, respectively. The present study also demonstrated a 100 (53–393) mL decrease in RUV after EA treatment.…”

Electroacupuncture for Postoperative Urinary Retention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…We have difficulty in drawing a definitive conclusion that EA is more effective than other treatments. EA has been widely used in China; it relieves pain for many patients safely and effectively [ 63 , 64 ], and its mechanism and effect are worthy of our in-depth study.…”