RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture point stimulation on the urodynamics of spinal cord injury patients.Methods Sixty spinal cord injury cases were divided into a research group and a comparison group.Both groups were given bladder training, but the research group also received acupuncture point stimulation.The subjects' maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure and residual urine were measured, along with renal function and any urinary tract infections.The scale of activity of their daily lives was compared before and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before the treatment.There were statistically significant differences in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and Barthel index (BI) after 3 and 6 months of treatment.In the research group, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and BI scores had all improved after 6 months compared with the 3 month values.In the comparison group only the BI score had improved significantly between 3 and 6 months, and this was not reflected in a significant change in the scale of activity in daily life.After 3 months, only the average BI differed significantly between the two groups.After 6 months all indexes except the BI and maximum cystometric capacity differed significantly.There were also significant differences between the groups in reflex voiding, percussion voiding, and abdominal pressure voiding.Conclusions Acupuncture point stimulation can improve the bladder function of spinal cord injury patients.It can also decrease the incidence of urinary tract infection and the possibility of renal dysfunction.
