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Search / Trial NCT07124390

Electroacupuncture as a Treatment for Refractory Overactive Bladder

Launched by CHELSEA AND WESTMINSTER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Aug 8, 2025

Trial Information

Current as of August 25, 2025

Not yet recruiting

Keywords

Electric Acupuncture Acupuncture Ptns Neuromodulation

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a treatment called electroacupuncture (EA) can help women with overactive bladder (OAB) as well as another treatment called percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). Overactive bladder causes symptoms like sudden urges to urinate, leaking urine, or needing to go to the bathroom many times during the night. The study will also check if electroacupuncture is an easy and acceptable option for women to use compared to these other treatments. To do this, researchers will compare three groups: one receiving electroacupuncture, one receiving PTNS, and one receiving a fake (sham) acupuncture treatment.

Women aged 18 or older who have had OAB symptoms for at least three months and did not get better with first treatments may be able to join. Participants will have one treatment session each week for 12 weeks and will be asked to keep daily symptom diaries and fill out questionnaires about how their symptoms affect their quality of life and what they think about the treatment. Follow-up visits will happen after the treatment ends to see how well the treatments worked. The trial is not yet recruiting and will take place at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. Some women won’t be able to join, such as those who are pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or have had recent acupuncture for OAB. This study aims to find better ways to help women manage overactive bladder symptoms comfortably and effectively.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

  • Inclusion Criteria:
  • Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Female adults aged 18 years or older.
  • Diagnosed with overactive bladder syndrome (ICIQ-OAB score ≥10).
  • Symptoms present for at least three months and refractory to first-line treatments.
  • Willing to refrain from starting new bladder-related treatments during the study period.
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • * Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded:
  • Pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period.
  • Bleeding disorders.
  • Severe needle phobia.
  • Presence of a pacemaker.
  • Active cancer diagnosis.
  • Active urinary tract infections or other urological conditions requiring urgent intervention.
  • Participation in another clinical trial for bladder dysfunction within the past six months.
  • Neurological conditions affecting continence (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease).
  • Life-threatening infections.
  • Severe cognitive deficits, unconsciousness, dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative diseases).
  • History of incontinence surgery.
  • Previous acupuncture for OAB within the past two months.
  • History of thromboses.
  • Recovering from or suffering from a serious illness or major surgery.

About Chelsea And Westminster Nhs Foundation Trust

Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust is a leading healthcare organization in the UK, dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care and advancing medical research. With a focus on innovation and excellence, the Trust actively engages in clinical trials to evaluate new treatments and improve health outcomes. Its multidisciplinary team collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure rigorous study design, ethical conduct, and comprehensive patient safety. By fostering an environment of collaboration and research, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust aims to contribute significantly to the advancement of medical knowledge and the enhancement of healthcare practices.

Locations

London, , United Kingdom

Patients applied

0 patients applied

Trial Officials

Lesley Professor Regan

Study Chair

Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Consultant in Gynaecology at the Imperial College and Consultant at NHS Trust St Mary's Hospital Campus

Deepa Dr Abichandani

Study Chair

Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy Employability Lead for School of Allied and Community Health London South Bank Universit

Mark Pro. Johnson

Study Chair

Senior Lecturer, Consultant in Obstetrics and Obstetric Medicine Charing Cross Hospital. And Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust Imperial College London Clinical Chair in Obstetrics Department of Metabolism, Digestion an

Rufus Mr. Cartwright

Study Director

Uro-gynaecologist consultant and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Campus and Celsea and Westminster NHS Trust Gynaecology and Departm

Elmas X Court

Principal Investigator

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Imperial College London

Timeline

First submit

Trial launched

Trial updated

Estimated completion

Not reported