[Retracted] Effects of Electroacupuncture with Different Waveforms on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disorder in adult men. Evidence has demonstrated that acupuncture is effective for treating CP/CPPS. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a combination of traditional acupuncture and electrical stimulation, and the waveform is one of the key factors influencing EA effects. Different waveforms contain different stimulating parameters, thus generating different effects. However, the effects of different waveforms of EA on CP/CPPS remain unclear and there is no recommended standard for the application of EA waveforms. At the same time, the waveform prescription of CP/CPPS is also different, so exploring the influence of different waveforms on CP/CPPS patients will also provide a certain treatment basis for clinical treatment. A total of 108 eligible patients were recruited from the Seventh People’s Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 18, 2021, to January 31, 2022, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All subjects were randomly divided into three groups (continuous wave 4 Hz, continuous wave 20 Hz, and extended wave 4/20 Hz) in a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1. Patients in all three groups were treated for the same duration of 20 minutes, with intervention twice a week for 4 weeks. The changes in chronic prostatitis index (NIH-CPSI), erectile function index 5 (IIEF-5), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and NIH-CPSI response rate in three groups were compared after the intervention, and the occurrence of adverse events in patients during treatment was observed. After 4 weeks of treatment, the CP/CPPS response rates were 66.7%, 62.5%, and 88.2% in the 4 Hz, 20 Hz, and 4/20 Hz groups, respectively. The reaction rate of CP / CPPS in 4 / 20 Hz group was higher than that in 4 Hz group and 20 Hz group. ( P < 0.05 ). During treatment, the difference between NIH-CPSI scores between 4 Hz and 4/20 Hz was insignificant ( P > 0.05 ). NIH-CPSI scores were lower in the 4/20 Hz group than in the 4 Hz and 20 Hz groups ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, there was no significant difference in the pain and discomfort subscales ( P > 0.05 ) between the 4 Hz and 20 Hz groups and there were significantly lower pain and discomfort scores in the 4/20 Hz group ( P < 0.05 ) compared to the 4 Hz and 20 Hz groups. There was no significant difference in the reduction of urination symptoms and quality of life among the three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Compared with before treatment, IIEF-5 scores of the three groups were improved ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, there was no significant difference between the IIEF-5 scores in 4 Hz and 20 Hz ( P > 0.05 ), while the IIEF-5 score in 4/20 Hz was significantly higher than that in 4 Hz and 20 Hz, and the change was significant ( P < 0.05 ). The HADS scores decreased in all the three groups ( P < 0.05 ), but there was no significant difference in HADS scores between the three groups ( P > 0.05 ). Adverse events were mild and transient, and no serious adverse events occurred in each group. Both the expansive and continuous waveforms of EA can effectively alleviate symptoms such as prostatitis, erectile dysfunction, anxiety, and depression in patients with CP/CPPS. Expansion waves are superior to continuous waves in improving erectile function and pain symptoms in chronic prostatitis and can be used as a preferred waveform for the treatment of CP/CPPS. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100044418.

Clinical efficacy of magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitischronic pelvic pain syndrome

“…Based on traditional Chinese medical theory, Sanyinjiao and Sansili are acupuncture points commonly used for the treatment of CP/CPPS, which have the effects of benefiting Qi, regulating the meridians, regulating the bladder and draining Qi flow; additionally, Sansili tonifies Qi, infiltrates dampness, and induces diuresis. Therefore, electrical stimulation of the two acupoints can achieve the electroacupuncture effect, which improves immunity and effectively relieves symptoms such as prostatitis, erectile dysfunction, anxiety, and depression in patients with CP/CPPS[ 11 ]. Thus, the magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy instrument intervenes in patients with CP/CPPS through multiple pathways, promoting the absorption of local inflammatory substances in the prostate, relieving patient discomfort, and improving mood and quality of life by stimulating local tissue microcirculation and immune system function in the prostate.…”

Electroacupuncture Induces Bilateral S1 and ACC Epigenetic Regulation of Genes in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain

“…Electroacupuncture (EA) has been increasingly adopted for pain relief, and many clinical trials and animal experiments have demonstrated its analgesic effect [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. It has been shown to induce the release of endogenous opioids, which desensitize peripheral nociceptors and inhibit inflammation [ 10 ].…”

Retracted: Effects of Electroacupuncture with Different Waveforms on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process: Discrepancies in scope Discrepancies in the description of the research reported Discrepancies between the availability of data and the research described Inappropriate citations Incoherent, meaningless and/or irrelevant content included in the article Peer-review manipulation …”

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process:…”