OBJECTIVETo verify the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for female stress urinary incontinence (SU).

METHODSForty-two patients were randomly divided into an observation group(20 cases) and a control group (22 cases). EA at Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35) was used in the observation group. Sham acupuncture at non meridian points, one can beside Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35), was applied, and placebo EA was adopted in the control group. Treatment with needle retained for 30 min a time was given once every other day and three times a week for continuous six weeks in the two groups. Urinary and reproductive simple score (UDI),visual analogue scale (VAS) and the frequency of nocturnal enuresis were observed before treatment, at the second, forth and sixth week of treatment in the two groups, and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe effective rates of the observation group were 80.0% (16/20), 95.0% (19/20) and 95.0% (19/20), which were better than 40.9% (9/22), 31.8% (7/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of the control group at the second, forth and sixth week of treatment. The differences were statistically significant between the two groups (all P < 0.05). After treatment in the observation group, the results of UDI, VAS and frequency of nocturnal enuresis were improved compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). Along with treatment, all indices were gradually improved, and the change at the sixth week was the most obvious in observation group. The results of the observation group were better than those of the control group at all times (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA achieves obvious effect for female SUI, and effectively improves the lower urinary trace symptoms, the degree of urinary incontinence and the frequency of nocturnal enuresis. The effect becomes increasingly better along with treatment within six weeks.