OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on mild and moderate female stress urinary incontinence (FSUI) between transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation and oral administration of midodrine hydrochloride tablets.

METHODSNinety cases of mild and moderate FSUI were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. In the observation group, the transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation was applied to Ciliao (BL 32), Shenshu (BL 23), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6), once a day. In the control group, midodrine hydrochloride tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 2. 5 mg per treatment, three times each day. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks. The score of international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-urinary incontinence short form (ICI-Q-SF) and leakage of urine in 1 h urinal pad test were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups, and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe score of ICI-Q-SF and leakage of urine in urinal pad test after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both P<0. 01). The total effective rate was 86. 7% (39/45) in the observation group, which was better than 68. 9% (31/45, P<0. 05) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation achieves the better efficacy on FSUI as compared with the oral administration of midodrine hydrochloride tablets. This therapy effectively improves the patient's urine control ability and reduces leakage of urine.