The Effect of Pudendal Nerve Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation on Perineal Discomfort in Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome-An Analysis Using a Visual Analogue Scale- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Purpose] Electrical acupuncture at the pudendal nerve was employed to treat perineal discomfort in two patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), and the effectiveness was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS).<BR>[Methods] The patients were 67 and 65 years of age, respectively, when they were referred to the Meiji College of Oriental Medicine because of ineffective medical management of CPPS. Acupuncture at the BL-33 (Zhongliao) point and electrical acupuncture at the pudendal nerve were applied to treat symptoms of CPPS. Pain, discomfort, lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, the International Prostate Symptom Score and a Visual Analogue Scale.<BR>[Results] Acupuncture at BL-33 was not effective in improving the perineal discomfort of CPPS. However, the symptom was improved dramatically after electrical acupuncture to the pudendal nerve, and the effectiveness was demonstrated by VAS.<BR>[Conclusions] Electrical acupuncture at the pudendal nerve may be effective in the treatment of pudendal discomfort due to CPPS. VAS was useful in evaluating improvements in pudendal discomfort.