Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in older women, characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia. This study compared the efficacy and safety of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) and sham TEA in postmenopausal women with OAB.
In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, 68 postmenopausal women with OAB were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive TEA or sham TEA (manual acupuncture without thread embedding) once weekly for 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow up. The primary outcome was the mean daily voiding frequency over 3 days. Secondary outcomes included other bladder diary parameters, the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and the King's Health Questionnaire score.
At week 8, both groups showed reductions in 24-hour micturition frequency; however, after adjustment for baseline values using ANCOVA, no significant between-group difference was observed in the primary outcome. Repeated measures analysis demonstrated no significant group-by-time interactions for secondary outcomes, although significant improvements over time were observed in both groups. At follow-up, nighttime voiding remained significantly reduced from baseline in the TEA group, whereas this reduction was not statistically significant in the sham group; however, the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance. No serious adverse events were reported.
TEA and manual acupuncture were effective and safe in reducing OAB symptoms in postmenopausal women, with no significant differences between interventions. Larger, long-term studies are needed to clarify specific benefits of TEA.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in postmenopausal women, often causing frequent urination, sudden urges, and sometimes leakage. Medicines are usually the first treatment, but they can cause side effects and are not always effective. Acupuncture is a non-drug option that may help. This study looked at a special form of acupuncture called thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA), where a small thread is left under the skin at acupuncture points to give longer-lasting stimulation. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 68 women who had OAB. Half received TEA, and the other half received manual acupuncture (MA), where the needles were inserted in the same way but without the thread. Both groups received weekly treatments for eight weeks and were followed for another two months. Both TEA and MA significantly reduced urinary frequency and other OAB symptoms. On average, women in both groups urinated about two fewer times per day after treatment, and these improvements lasted for 2 months. Quality-of-life scores also improved. However, there was no meaningful difference between the TEA and MA groups, suggesting that the benefit may come mainly from acupuncture itself rather than the thread. No serious side effects were reported, and both treatments were well tolerated. In summary, this study suggests that acupuncture—whether with or without thread embedding—can safely improve OAB symptoms in postmenopausal women. Larger, longer studies are needed to see whether TEA has unique long-term advantages over MA.
International journal of women's health. 2026 Mar 19*** epublish ***
Su-Ji Choi, Jang-Kyung Park
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University, Busan-si, Republic of Korea., Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Republic of Korea.