Many women struggle with urgent bladder needs and the worry that comes with them. This trial looked at a specific treatment for female patients with mild to moderate overactive bladder who also had anxiety symptoms. The team compared auricular thumbtack needle therapy combined with behavioral therapy against behavioral therapy and basic treatment alone. The needle therapy targeted points on the ear linked to the heart, liver, kidney, and bladder. Participants stayed in the study for six weeks.
The results showed clear improvements for those receiving the combined therapy. Scores measuring bladder urgency, anxiety, sleep quality, and depression all dropped significantly compared to before treatment. Nighttime bathroom trips became less frequent, and measures of bladder function like urine flow and capacity improved. The rate of overall improvement was significantly higher in the group receiving the needle therapy.
Safety was a key part of this research. No serious side effects were reported, and the therapy was considered safe for clinical use. However, ten women in the experimental group dropped out, while two in the control group did. While the findings are promising, the study involved a specific group of women, so results may vary for others.