Effect of Electroacupuncture on Quality of Life of Patients with Urinary Incontinence

요실금(尿失禁) 환자의 삶의 질에 대한 전침치료 효과

  • Ko, Young-Jin (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyung-Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Kyung-Tai (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyung-Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Eun-Jung (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyung-Hee University) ;
  • Woo, Hyun-Su (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyung-Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Chang-Hwan (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyung-Hee University)
  • 고영진 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 김경태 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 김은정 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 우현수 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 김창환 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실)
  • Published : 2006.02.20

Abstract

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluated the effect of electroacupuncture on Quality of life of patients with urinary incontinence Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. Electroacupuncture was performed three times a week for 3 weeks. Acupuncture point for EA group was B32, Electrical stimulation frequency was 2Hz, duration 20 minutes, and intensity was up to pain threshold according to patients. The patients's symptoms were assessed before, after 3 weeks of treatment by QOL item of International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), Medical Outcomes Study(MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36). Results : QOL score of IPSS were significantly improved after 3 weeks(p<0.05) compared to the pre-treatment. There were significant changes in Social functioning(SF), role-physical(RP), role emotional(RE), mental health(MH), bodily pain(BP) score of SF-36 after 3 weeks(p<0.05), but there were no significant changes in physical functioning(PF), vitality(VT), general health(GH) score of SF-36. Conclusion : This study suggests that electroacupuncture treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in patients with urinary incontinence.

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