Electroacupuncture as a Treatment for Refractory Overactive Bladder: A Feasibility /Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is a single-site feasibility randomised controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of electroacupuncture (EA), and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), in women with refractory overactive bladder (OAB) who have not achieved satisfactory improvement following standard pelvic health physiotherapy. The primary aim is to determine whether a larger definitive trial is feasible by assessing recruitment, consent, retention, treatment adherence, data completeness, intervention delivery, safety, and participant acceptability. Twenty-four participants will be randomly allocated to receive electroacupuncture or PTNS, over a 12-week treatment period. Outcome assessments will be completed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The findings will inform the design of a future definitive randomised controlled trial and contribute to the evidence base for non-pharmacological treatment options for overactive bladder.
⁃ Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
• Female adults aged 18 years or older.
• Diagnosed with overactive bladder syndrome (ICIQ-OAB score ≥10).
• Symptoms present for at least three months and refractory to first-line treatments.
• Willing to refrain from starting new bladder-related treatments during the study period.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent.