S3 neuromodulation using Chinese electro-acupuncture on BL-33 to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of electrical acupuncture for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity （DO） caused by spinal cord injury （SCI）.Methods Twenty SCI patients with DO were included in this study. There were 18 males and 2 females;age ranged from 17 to 58 years. Patients were given electro-acupuncture treatment at the bilateral S3 foramen at the lateral position during the vidio-urodynamic investigation when the detrusor of the patients began to contract.The different intensities of electrical stimulation were used when the DO appeared during cystometry and the most effective intensity to inhibit DO was determined. Then, the bladder was emptied and the stimulation with selected intensity was used at the beginning of cystometry. The changes of parameters in the urodynamics, the urinary incontinence times per day and the pad used per day were recorded. The acute effects were observed. Ten days were set as one course and after 3 courses and 9 courses the patients underwent urodynamic test again. The long-term effects were observed.Results After treatment, the urinary incontinence times per day and the pad used per day decreased obviously （P〈0. 05）. The bladder capacity increased significantly and the maximum intravesical pressure decreased significantly. There were 3 patients having the long terms treatment. Conclusions The Chinese electro-acupuncture at S3 foramen in the SCI patients with DO is demonstrated effective. After the treatment bladder capacity could increase and the times of the urinary incontinence per week decrease. Key words: Detrusor overactivity; Electro acupuncture; Spinal cord injury; S3 foramen neuromodulation