Comparing two acupuncture-point methods for bladder problems in women with multiple sclerosis
Tests electrical versus hand-pressure acupuncture-point treatment for bladder control in women with MS.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
Key facts
- Where
- Berlin, GermanySee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Source: NCT07183683, who can take part
Where in Germany
- Department for integrative medicine and prevention, Institute for social medicine, epidemiology and health economics, Charité university medicine BerlinBerlin, GermanyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Trial code
- NCT07183683
- Record updated
- 19 September 2025
- Original description
Electrical vs. manual stimulation: The study compares two types of acupuncture - one using mild electrical currents and one using just manual no-needle techniques in the treatment of urinary bladder disfunction.Read full original descriptionShow less
Electrical Versus Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction - A Pragmatic, Exploratory, Three-Arm, Randomized Controlled Trial Using a Mixed Methods Approach
Electrical vs. manual stimulation: The study compares two types of acupuncture - one using mild electrical currents and one using just manual no-needle techniques in the treatment of urinary bladder disfunction.
The study focuses on women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) who also have neurogenic bladder dysfunction - a condition where the bladder doesn't work properly due to nerve damage.
Inclusion: Female patients, aged 18-60 years, with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 6; Stable immunomodulatory MS therapy for at least 3 months prior to enrollment; Presence of at least 3 out of the following 6 criteria indicative of overactive bladder dysfunction: urgency, daytime urinary frequency >10 times, nocturia >1 time per night, post-void dribbling, incontinence, or delayed initiation of micturition; Participants must be willing and cognitively and linguistically capable of adhering to the study protocol, performing the study interventions, and completing the required study documentation; Capacity to provide informed consent, and provision of written consent for both written and electronic data collection and participation in the study.
Exclusion: Acute MS relapse within the last 3 months prior to individual study entry; Planned change in immunomodulatory therapy during the study period; Spinal trauma within 5 years prior to study entry or any other pre-existing central nervous system disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease), or history of pelvic, spinal, or bladder surgery; Acute urinary tract infection at the time of screening or within the previous 4 weeks; Previous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TNS), acupuncture, or acupressure in the same anatomical region within 3 months prior to study entry; Current or past history of bladder cancer; Other serious pre-existing conditions (e.g., active cancer, heart failure, epilepsy, etc.) that contraindicate participation in the study; Current need for regular self-catheterization (more than twice per week); Clinically relevant post-void residual volume, confirmed by ultrasound (>100 mL or >40% of pre-void volume); Implanted defibrillator or other pacemaker; Urogenital causes of bladder dysfunction, such as stress urinary incontinence or bladder prolapse; Urolithiasis or urogenital tumors within the past 6 months; Regular pelvic floor training (more than twice per week) in the past 6 weeks or planned during the study period; Planned participation in another interventional clinical trial during the study period; Open wounds, edema, or lymphedema in the lower leg that may interfere with local intervention; Obesity, defined as BMI > 30; Pregnancy or breastfeeding.