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Electroacupuncture as a Treatment for Refractory Overactive Bladder
Sponsor: Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
Summary
This study is a single-site feasibility randomised controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of electroacupuncture (EA), percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), and sham electroacupuncture in women with refractory overactive bladder (OAB) who have not achieved satisfactory improvement following standard pelvic health physiotherapy. The primary aim is to determine whether a larger definitive trial is feasible by assessing recruitment, consent, retention, treatment adherence, data completeness, intervention delivery, blinding credibility, safety, and participant acceptability. Thirty-six participants will be randomly allocated to receive electroacupuncture, PTNS, or sham electroacupuncture over a 12-week treatment period. Outcome assessments will be completed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The findings will inform the design of a future definitive randomised controlled trial and contribute to the evidence base for non-pharmacological treatment options for overactive bladder.
Official title: Electroacupuncture as a Treatment for Refractory Overactive Bladder: A Feasibility /Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
32
Start Date
2026-07-01
Completion Date
2027-07-30
Last Updated
2026-06-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Name: Electroacupuncture (EA) Type: Device-based acupuncture therapy
Description: Insertion of acupuncture needles at specific points with electrical stimulation (2 Hz) for 30 minutes per session.
Neuromodulation therapy
Type: Neuromodulation therapy Description: Insertion of a needle electrode near the medial malleolus with low-voltage electrical stimulation (20 Hz) applied for 30 minutes per session.
Sham Acupuncture
Type: Placebo Description: Non-invasive, non-penetrating placebo needles placed at the same points as in the EA group, without electrical stimulation, for 30 minutes per session.
Locations (1)
Chelsea and Westminster hospital NHS foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom