Electroacupuncture as a Treatment for Refractory Overactive Bladder

Overview

This study is a single-site feasibility randomised controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of electroacupuncture (EA), and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), 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, safety, and participant acceptability. Twenty-four participants will be randomly allocated to receive electroacupuncture or PTNS, 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.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common and distressing condition characterised by urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, and, in some cases, urgency urinary incontinence. OAB can substantially affect quality of life, psychological wellbeing, social participation, and healthcare utilisation. Although first-line management includes behavioural interventions and pelvic floor physiotherapy, a proportion of women continue to experience bothersome symptoms despite these treatments and require additional therapeutic options. Electroacupuncture (EA) has emerged as a potential treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder. Previous studies suggest that EA may improve urinary symptoms through neuromodulatory mechanisms; however, the quality, consistency, and applicability of the evidence remain uncertain. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is an established neuromodulation treatment used within clinical practice and is recommended for selected patients with refractory OAB. To date, there is limited evidence directly comparing EA with PTNS, and uncertainty remains regarding the feasibility of conducting a definitive comparative trial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a two-arm randomised controlled trial comparing electroacupuncture and PTNS in women with refractory OAB. This is a single-centre feasibility randomised controlled trial conducted within a pelvic health physiotherapy service. Twent-four women with refractory OAB will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive: 1. Electroacupuncture (EA) 2. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) Participants will receive weekly treatment sessions for 12 weeks and will be followed up at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcomes are feasibility outcomes, including: * Recruitment rate * Consent rate * Retention rate * Treatment adherence * Data completeness * Intervention delivery and fidelity * Safety and adverse events * Participant acceptability Exploratory clinical outcomes include: * International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-OAB) * International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire 3 day bladder diary (ICIQ BD) Short health economics questioner The study is not powered to detect treatment effectiveness. Findings will be used to estimate key feasibility parameters and inform the design, conduct, and sample size calculation of a future definitive randomised controlled trial. The study has received favourable ethical approval from a UK Research Ethics Committee and NHS Research \& Development approval. The study is sponsored by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and forms part of a PhD programme at Imperial College London.