Effect of Electroacupuncture on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), compared with sham electroacupuncture.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of BPH in accordance with the European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline;
2. Male participants aged between 40 and 80 years;
3. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) for at least three months;
4. IPSS total score ≥8;
5. Prostate volume ≥20 mL;
6. Urinary peak flow rate (Qmax) ≤15 mL/s;
7. Voluntary participation in the trial and signed written informed content.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Post-void residual urine volume (PVR) ≥150 mL;
2. Acute urinary retention or catheterization for outflow obstruction within the 3 months (Except for post-surgical disposable catheterization);
3. Prostate cancer or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level ≥4.0 ng/mL;
4. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction; prostatitis; uncontrolled symptomatic urinary tract infections; urethral strictures; bladder diverticula; bladder stones; bladder cancer; history of genitourinary system surgery (prostate, bladder, urethra, etc.);
5. Previous acupuncture treatment for BPH in the preceding one month, or α-blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitor, muscarinic receptor antagonists, or any other specific medication usage in the previous two weeks unless a stable 5α-reductase inhibitor usage of over three months;
6. Severe lung, heart, liver, kidney, metabolic, or mental illness, coagulation dysfunction, or with obvious cognitive dysfunction;
7. Installed cardiac pacemaker, allergy to metal, severe fear of acupuncture or unbearable to the stimulation of EA.