Acupuncture for overactive bladder: a review of the evidence

Author(s): E. Hargreaves - Pages: 42-47

Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms are common, and one in nine adults are affected by this condition. Women are slightly more at risk of developing OAB, and its incidence rises steeply with age. Current treatments have an established hierarchy, and begin with lifestyle changes, bladder retraining regimes and pelvic floor muscle exercises before progressing to medication, Botox injection in the bladder wall and various forms of nerve stimulation. The cost of treating OAB is high and was estimated to be US$82 billion in the USA in 2020. All treatment methods have variable levels of success, and there are reservations about most modalities, which makes the investigation of novel approaches important. This article describes: the rationale for using acupuncture to treat the symptoms of OAB; the relevant possible physiological effects of acupuncture; the current evidence and the treatment protocols used in a variety of studies; the gaps in current knowledge; and the further research that is required to establish the place of acupuncture in the treatment of OAB.