Thread-Embedding versus Manual Acupuncture for Overactive Bladder in Postmenopausal Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in older women, characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia. This study compared the efficacy and safety of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) and sham TEA in postmenopausal women with OAB.

METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, 68 postmenopausal women with OAB were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive TEA or sham TEA (manual acupuncture without thread embedding) once weekly for 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow up. The primary outcome was the mean daily voiding frequency over 3 days. Secondary outcomes included other bladder diary parameters, the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and the King's Health Questionnaire score.

RESULTS

At week 8, both groups showed reductions in 24-hour micturition frequency; however, after adjustment for baseline values using ANCOVA, no significant between-group difference was observed in the primary outcome. Repeated measures analysis demonstrated no significant group-by-time interactions for secondary outcomes, although significant improvements over time were observed in both groups. At follow-up, nighttime voiding remained significantly reduced from baseline in the TEA group, whereas this reduction was not statistically significant in the sham group; however, the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

TEA and manual acupuncture were effective and safe in reducing OAB symptoms in postmenopausal women, with no significant differences between interventions. Larger, long-term studies are needed to clarify specific benefits of TEA.