Randomized trial of electroacupuncture for early urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

Postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (UI; use of two or more pads per day) impairs quality of life. A randomized trial at Nanjing University (China) included 110 men with UI 4 to 6 weeks after prostatectomy. Participants were randomized to electroacupuncture or sham stimulation. Electoracupuncture significantly increased the 6-week urinary continence rate (44% versus 22%) and reduced 24-hour urine leakage more effectively than sham treatment, with minimal adverse events. The authors conclude that these results suggest that electroacupuncture is a safe and effective noninvasive therapy to accelerate urinary continence after prostatectomy.