Effect of laser acupuncture for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis on bladder reservoir function and nocturnal urine output

Abstract

Purpose: The alternative treatments for enuresis have been reported with high efficacy but in noncontrolled studies. Therefore, using a prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo controlled design we evaluated the effect of laser acupuncture on bladder reservoir function and enuresis frequency in cases of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis with reduced maximal voided volume.

Materials and methods: A total of 31 patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, with at least 3 enuretic nights per week and less than 70% of normal age related maximal voided volume without first morning void (Koff's formula), no constipation, urinary tract abnormalities, or daytime incontinence were randomized into group 1--active laser acupuncture, group 2--placebo treatment with red light and skin contact and group 3--placebo treatment with red light without skin contact. After a 2-week run-in period (when patients made home recordings of nocturnal urinary production and during 2 weekends frequency-volume charts), the patients started a 5-week treatment. During the last 2 weeks of treatment patients performed the same recordings as during the run-in period.

Results: We found no significant effect of active laser acupuncture on maximal voided volume (first morning void excluded), maximal morning voided volume, voiding frequency, enuresis frequency before and after treatment or nocturnal urine production among the patient groups. However, we found that laser acupuncture resulted in a significant increase in average daytime voided volume. We found no effect of skin contact during placebo laser acupuncture.

Conclusions: Laser acupuncture is a safe but inefficient treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis with reduced maximal voided volume. However, we found subtle effects on bladder reservoir function.