Clinical study on improving the function of female bladder in controlling urine by acupuncture Zhibian (BL54) under ultrasound guidance

World J Urol. 2024 May 6;42(1):300. doi: 10.1007/s00345-024-05004-2.

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture Zhibian (BL54) on the function of the bladder in controlling urine in women under ultrasound.

Method: 74 healthy subjects were randomly divided into deep acupuncture group of 37 cases and shallow acupuncture group of 37 cases. Under the guidance of ultrasound, the two groups of subjects were acupunctured at bilateral BL54. The deep acupuncture group was acupunctured to the pudendal nerve, and the shallow acupuncture group was acupunctured to the superficial fascia. Ultrasound was used to observe the peak systolic velocity (PSV), time average maximum velocity (TAMX), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsation index (PI), resistance index (RI) of the pudendal arteries, and bladder volume of two groups of subjects before and after acupuncture. The anatomical hierarchical structure of bilateral BL54 and score of Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) of all subjects was measured.

Result: After acupuncture, the PSV, TMAX of the pudendal artery, bladder volume, and the Score of C-MASS Scale in the deep acupuncture group were higher than in the shallow acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The RI of the pudendal arteries in the shallow acupuncture group decreased compared to before acupuncture (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Acupuncture at the BL54 can increase the blood flow velocity of the pudendal artery, improve the function of the bladder in controlling urine in women, and different depths of acupuncture will have different therapeutic effects.

Keywords: Acupuncture; BL54; Bladder; Pudendal artery; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Points
  • Acupuncture Therapy* / methods
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional
  • Urinary Bladder* / diagnostic imaging
  • Young Adult