Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) refers to the presence of bothersome pelvic pain symptoms without an identifiable cause. Common symptoms of CP/CPPS include discomfort in the perineum, suprapubic region, and lower urinary tract symptoms. It affects men of all ages without apparent racial predisposition, among which, 36-50 years old are the most commonly influenced. Yet, few effective therapies are available for treating CP/CPPS.

Acupuncture may be an effective treatment option for CP/CPPS. However, effects of acupuncture on CP/CPPS remain uncertain because of the small sample sizes or other methodological limitations.

The objective of this multi-centre, randomized, sham acupuncture-controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for relieving symptoms of CP/CPPS. The results will provide a robust conclusion with a high level of evidence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1.History of pain perceived in the prostate region and absence of other lower urinary tract pathology for a minimum of three of the past 6 months. In addition, any associated lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual function, and psychological factors should be addressed. Physical examinations, urinary analyses, and urine cultures will be performed for all subjects;
• 2. Age 18 to 50 years.
• 3. NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH- CPSI) total score ≥ 15.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. Prostate, bladder, or urethral cancer, seizure disorder in any medical history.
• 2. Inflammatory bowel disease, active urethral stricture, neurologic disease or disorder affecting the bladder, liver disease, neurologic impairment or psychiatric disorder preventing understanding of consent and self-report scale.
• 3. Urinary tract infection with a urine culture value of more than 100,000 CFU/mL, clinical evidence of urethritis, including urethral discharge or positive culture, diagnostic of sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhoea, chlamydia, mycoplasma or trichomonas, but not including HIV/AIDS), symptoms of acute or chronic epididymitis).
• 4. Residual urine volume≥100ML.
• 5. Qmax≤15ML/S.
• 6. Prior 4 weeks used androgen hormone inhibitors (finasteride), alpha-blockers (terazosin HCI, doxazosin mesylate, tamsulosin hydrochloride), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride), or any other prostatitis-specific medication (including herb and Chinese medicine).