Effects Of Electroacupuncture On Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective:To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:It is a prospective and multi-centered RCT study.175 cases of BPH were randomized into two groups,87 in electro-acupuncture group and 88 in medication group. In the electro-acupuncture group, it was applied to bilateral zhongliao(BL33) and huiyang(BL35) once the other day,4 weeks altogether. Patients of the control group took 2 mg of Terazosin per night for 4 weeks.Subjects were partially followed up respectively in 6 monthes and 18 monthes. International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rates (Qmax) and post-voided residual urine volume (PVR) were adopted as the primary outcome measures, while bother of score(BS),times of difficulty in holding urine during 24-hours and urinating times at night were taken as secondary outcome measures. Safety evaluation parameters include: needle-fainting, needle-breaking, dysfunction of the pelvic viscera, damage of nerves and sequelae pain.Results:Evaluated by the major outcome measures:After 4 weeks, the decreasing scale of IPSS in the electro-acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of the terazosin group (P<0.001),the increase of Qmax,decrease of PVR were statistically better than that of the terazosin group (P<0.05).6 monthes following up showed that the improvement of IPSS,Qmax and PVR in electro-acupuncture group was greater than the terazosin group (P<0.01). Similar statistical differences were observed at 18 monthes follow-up. Evaluated by the secondary outcome measures:After 4 weeks,the decreasing scale of BS and times of difficulties in holding urine during 24-hours was significantly superior to that of the terazosin group (P<0.001),the decrase of urinating times at night were statistically better than that of the terazosin group (P<0.05).87 patients in the electro-acupuncture group have received the treatment for more than 890 times in all, and no unfavorable reaction was ever recorded.Conclusion1.Therapeutic effects of electro-acupuncture on bilateral zhongliao(BL33) and huiyang(BL35) for mild and moderate BPH is evidently better than that of Terazosin in relieving prostatic symptoms, improving Qmax and decreasing PVR; it is possibly better than Terazosin in improving BS, reducing times of difficulties in holding urine during 24-hours and urinating times at night. The effects of electro-acupuncture last for 6 months, or even 18 months in some cases.2.Electro-acupuncture on bilateral zhongliao(BL33) and huiyang(BL35) shows fast effects in relieving prostatic symptoms for mild and moderate BPH without any side effects,and it is worth further popularizing in clinical application.