OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSBy prospective multi-centered randomized controlled design, 93 patients with BPH were assigned to two groups, 47 in the EA group treated by EA, and 46 in the control group treated by terazosin 2 mg taken orally once every evening. EA was applied on acupoints Zhongliao (BL33) and Huiyang (BL35), for 30 min, once every two days. The total treatment period was 4 weeks for them all. The indexes for efficacy evaluation were the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), the urinary symptom bother score (BS), the maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), the post-voided residual urine volume (PVR), and the size of prostate gland. And the times of difficulties for holding urine in 24 h (HU) and the times of night-urinating (NU) were recorded as well.

RESULTSThe trial was completed in 91 patients. After 4 weeks of treatment, the IPSS lowered, Qmax increased, PVR decreased, BS score reduced, times of HU and NU lessened in both groups (P <0.01). However, comparisons between groups showed that the improvement of IPSS (6.52 +/- 0.41 vs 2.69 +/- 0.36, P < 0.01), Qmax (4.71 +/- 0.70 vs 1.75 +/- 0.55, P =0.001) and PVR (44.79 +/- 9.73 vs 16.97 +/- 4.75, P =0.012) was more significant in the EA group than in the control group respectively, but the size of prostate gland after treatment was not different between groups.

CONCLUSIONEA at Zhongliao and Huiyin points can markedly improve the symptoms of difficult urination in mild or moderate patients with BPH, increase their Qmax and reduce PVR. Its efficacy is better than that of terazosin.