The effect of electroacupuncture on urodynamic changes soon after complete T10 spinal cord transection

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on urodynamic alteration in rats after complete T10 spinal cord transection.Methods Thirty-one female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into a sham operation group (n=10),a model group (n=11) and an electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=10).The spinal cords of the rats in the latter two groups were completely transected at the T10 level.Pressure was applied to the rats'lower abdomens every day while in the EA group electroacupuncture with continuous wave electricity was applied to the guanyuan (RN4) and sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints for 15 min.The treatment was carried out daily for consecutive 7 days.Urodynamic examinations were carried out after the treatment course had finished.Results At the 9th day after the operation,average residual urine volume and bladder capacity in the EA group were both significantly lower than in the model group.Residual urine volume and bladder capacity were lowest in the sham operation group.Average voided volume and voiding rate in the EA group were significantly higher than in the model group.The average voiding rate was highest in the sham operation group.The average vesical pressure of the urine leak point and bladder compliance of the EA group rats were significantly lower than those of the model group The average vesical pressure of the urine leak point and bladder compliance of the sham operation group were lowest of all.All of these differences were statistically significant at the 1％ level of confidence.Conclusion EA can improve the lower bladder's detrusor reflex state and urinary tract function soon after complete T10 spinal cord transaction,at least in rats. Key words: Spinal cord injuries; Urinary retention; Electroacupuncture; Urodynamics