Improvement of Urinary Retention Symptoms After Vaginal Delivery with Electroacupuncture

Ayu Permata Sari; Suskhan Djusad; Irma Nareswari; Didi Lazuardi; Yanto Kusnawara

doi:10.1177/19336586251384759

Improvement of Urinary Retention Symptoms After Vaginal Delivery with Electroacupuncture

Med Acupunct. 2025 Oct 3;38(2):127-136. doi: 10.1177/19336586251384759. eCollection 2026 Apr.

Authors

Ayu Permata Sari^{1

2}, Suskhan Djusad³, Irma Nareswari^{1

2}, Didi Lazuardi², Yanto Kusnawara⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Acupuncture and Occupational Medicine, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
² Medical Acupuncture Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
⁴ Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Koja Regional Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

PMID: 42131848
PMCID: PMC13089254 (available on 2026-10-03)
DOI: 10.1177/19336586251384759

Abstract

Background: Post-partum urinary retention (PPUR) is defined as the inability to urinate spontaneously after 6 h postpartum with residual urine ≥200 mL. Management of PPUR by inserting a urinary catheter. Electroacupuncture (EA) increased detrusor contractions, encouraged micturition, and reduced residual volume with minimal side effects.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of EA in accelerating micturition and reducing residual urine in patients with PPUR.

Methods: This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial. This study was performed on 60 subjects who presented with residual urine volume between 500 mL and 1000 mL 6 h after delivery (measured with a female catheter) and were divided into EA (n = 30) and sham (n = 30) groups. In the EA group, acupuncture needles were inserted into the following points: CV3, CV4, bilateral SP6, BL32, and BL33. The needles were connected to an EA stimulator with a continuous wave 2 Hz for 30 min. In the sham group, the needles were not inserted into the skin but only attached to the skin with round band-aids. They were then connected to EA, but no electrical stimulation was given. EA was performed two times within 24 h, while the patient had a catheter inserted.

Results: The first spontaneous micturition in the EA group was faster (average time to first spontaneous micturition in the EA group occurred in 102.4 (±63.6) min and spontaneous micturition in the sham group occurred in 191.8 (±97.5) min). This result was statistically significant with p < 0.001. Residual urine volume with the EA therapy study group was less compared to the control group (sham). The median final residual volume in the EA group was 100 mL (0-400 mL), while in the sham group was 185 mL (5-660 mL). This result was statistically significant with p = 0.005.

Conclusion: EA may accelerate spontaneous micturition and reduce residual urine volume in patients with PPUR.

Keywords: acupuncture; electroacupuncture; postpartum urinary retention; residual urine volume.