Effect of Electroacupuncture in Neurogenic Bladder: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Neurogenic bladder (NB) is the dysfunction of either the urinary bladder, bladder neck or its sphincters due to diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system involved in the control of micturition or urination. There are two types of neurogenic bladder. One is overactive bladder and another is underactive bladder. Acupuncture has certain effective role in treating bladder dysfunction including urinary retention and incontinence. This study used to explore the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in patients with neurogenic bladder and compare the difference in improvement of urological symptoms of overactive and underactive bladder symptoms along with quality of life assessed by NBSS score between the case and control group. This was a quasi-experimental study with non-probability convenient sampling. The overactive bladder issues along with incontinence were taken care by parameters (Day time frequency, saturation of pads, number of pads, nocturnal incontinence, skin problem, limits of activities, interval without leakage, liquid restriction) of NBSS score and the results were found to statistically significant (p<0.05) on case group.The underactive bladder issues along with storage and voiding problems were taken care by parameters (Frequency of urge, Urgency, Nocturia, Longest interval, post void fullness, stream, and straining) of NBSS score and the results were found to statistically significant (p<0.05) on case group.The consequences parameter (Pain and UTI) of neurogenic bladder for both underactive and overactive bladder were found to statistically significant (p<0.05) on case group as compared with control group.The quality of life parameter from NBSS score was statistically significant (p<0.05) in case group as compared with control group.The results of the present study suggest that for thirty minutes of acupuncture in Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yinlingquan (SP9), Qugu (CV2), Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV6), Shenshu (BL23), Pangguanshu (BL28), Baihui (GV20), Zhaohai (KL6), Zhongliao (BL33), Xialiao (BL34), Guanyuanshu (BL26) and electroacupuncture in Ciliao (BL23 and Shuidao (ST28) six times a week for three weeks along with conventional management is very effective in improving symptoms of both overactive and underactive bladder issues. Evidence suggests that EA is the vital components in treating NB issues so it should be taken into considerations while treating neurogenic bladder problems.