OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA) for apoplectic urinary incontinence.

METHODSTwo hundred and four cases of apoplectic urinary incontinence were randomized into an EA group (136 cases) and an indwelling catheter group (68 cases). The EA was applied at Qugu (CV 2), Zhongji (CV 3), Shuidao (ST 28), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. in the EA group,5 times a week. Indwelling catheter was applied in the indwelling catheter group at intervals of 2-4 hours, and periodic bladder irrigation along with bladder rehabilitation training were also given. The efficacies were evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment. Before and after treatment, the urination diary (including the interval of urination, nocturia frequency, urination difficulty, urinary incontinence severity), bladder capacity, patients' satisfaction of the two groups were observed and the efficacy was evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.2% (125/130) in the EA group, which was apparently superior to 87.5% (56/64) in the indwelling catheter group (P < 0.05); except for nocturia frequency in the indwelling catheter group, the total score and the subitem score in the urination diary were all improved significantly after treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001), which were more obvious in the EA group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05); the patients' satisfaction and bladder capacity were all improved significantly after treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001), which were more obvious in the EA group (both P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe EA has an obvious effect for apoplectic urinary incontinence in urinary incontinence alleviation and bladder capacity increase, which has better efficacy than indwelling catheter therapy.