Laser Acupuncture Alleviates Symptoms and Improves Quality of Life in Women with Overactive Bladder: A Double‐Blind, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective . The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of laser acupuncture for the treatment of women with overactive bladder (OAB) in Taiwan. Methods . A double‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on female patients with OAB symptoms referred from gynecologists, and subjects were divided into two groups using blocked randomization. LaserPan (RJ‐Laser, Germany) was applied to seven selected acupuncture points. The subjects received laser acupuncture 3 times per week for 3 weeks, 9 sessions in total. Basic patient data, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7), and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) scores were recorded prior to first treatment and at the end of 3 rd , 6 th , and 9 th treatments. Results . Thirty patients were enrolled, and twenty‐seven patients completed all treatments in this study. The OABSS total score of the experimental group decreased significantly by 3.13 ( p ≤ 0.001), 4.60 ( p ≤ 0.001), and 3.79 ( p ≤ 0.001) after 3 rd , 6 th , and 9 th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. The IIQ‐7 score declined significantly from baseline by 4.57 ( p = 0.003) and 3.63 ( p = 0.023) after 3 rd and 6 th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Similarly, the UDI‐6 score of the experimental group exhibited a significant decrease from baseline by 1.90 ( p = 0.042) and 2.25 ( p = 0.025) after 6 th and 9 th interventions, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Conclusions . This study demonstrates that laser acupuncture can alleviate OAB symptoms and improve quality of life. This noninvasive device could be an effective therapy for women with OAB.