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A comparative study of electroacupuncture at Zhongliao (BL33) and other acupoints for overactive bladder symptoms

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Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EA) at Zhongliao (BL33) can improve the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), such as urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence. However, its performance compared with other acupoints remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of EA at BL33 with deep needling on rats with OAB by detecting urodynamics in eight groups: no intervention group, D-BL33 group (deep needling at BL33), S-BL33 group (shallow needling at BL33), non-acupoint group (needling at the non-acupoint next to BL33), Weizhong (BL40) group, Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, Tongtian (BL7) group, and Hegu (LI4) group. Results revealed that EA at BL33 with deep needling, BL40, and SP6 prolonged the intercontraction interval (ICI) of rats with OAB (P = 0.001, P = 0.005, P = 0.046, respectively, post-treatment vs. post-modeling). Furthermore, the change in ICI from post-modeling in the D-BL33 group was significantly greater than those of the no intervention and other EA groups (all P < 0.01). Significantly shortened vesical micturition time (VMT) and elevated maximum detrusor pressure (MDP) were also observed in the D-BL33 group (P = 0.017 and P = 0.024, respectively, post-treatment vs. post-modeling). However, no statistically significant differences in the changes of VMT and MDP from post-modeling were observed between D-BL33 and the other EA groups. In conclusion, EA at BL33 with deep needling may inhibit acetic-acid-induced OAB more effectively.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81173353 and 81373732).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China

    Likun Yang, Yang Wang & Zhishun Liu

  2. Graduate College of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China

    Likun Yang

  3. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Qian Mo

  4. Department of Acupuncture, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550003, China

    Qian Mo

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  1. Likun Yang
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Correspondence to Zhishun Liu.

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Yang, L., Wang, Y., Mo, Q. et al. A comparative study of electroacupuncture at Zhongliao (BL33) and other acupoints for overactive bladder symptoms. Front. Med. 11, 129–136 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-016-0491-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-016-0491-6

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