Efficacy of Electroacupuncture (EA) for Women With Pure Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

When acupuncturing, adhesive pads were first pasted on acupoints after sterilization in either group. In EA group, participants were needled at bilateral BL33 at an angle of 30 to 45 degree inward and downward, and at bilateral BL35 slightly toward upside and outside, to a depth of 50 to 60 mm using acupuncture needles of size 0.30×75 mm. Needles were then lifted, thrusted and twirled evenly for 3 times. Paired electrodes of EA apparatus were attached transversely to bilateral BL33 and BL35 (using real electrodes) respectively, with a continuous wave of 50 Hz and a current intensity of 1-5 milliampere (mA) for 30 min. Participants were treated with EA 3 sessions a week on alternate days for 6 successive weeks.

When acupuncturing, adhesive pads were first pasted on acupoints after sterilization in either group. In sham EA group, participants were needled at sham BL33 and sham BL35, which were about 20 mm lateral to BL33 and BL35, respectively, with blunt needle tips piercing adhesive pads and not piercing the surface of the skin, using placebo needles of size 0.30×25 mm. Needles were then lifted, thrusted and twirled evenly for 3 times. Paired electrodes of EA apparatus were attached transversely to bilateral sham BL33 and sham BL35 (using sham electrodes) respectively. The parameters of sham EA apparatus and the treatment course were the same as in the EA group.