Effect of Acupuncture therapy ….A clinical trial on benign prostatic

hyperplasia

Dr. Hiralal Samanta (Director) Dr. Asit Halder (Medical Officer)

Dr. B.K. Basu Memorial Research & Training Institute of Acupuncture

Department of Health & FW, Govt. of WB

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy• A common occurrence in males above 50• Prostate, a wallnut shaped fibro-

muscular-glandular organ• Becomes enlarged to compress urethra

near bladder neck to produce symptoms of hesitancy, prolonged thin flow, nocturia etc.

• Exact cause not understood. Hormonal imbalance is thought to be the cause (Dihydrotestosterone and oestrogen may have role)

Prostate

Acupuncture treatment at our institute Materials & methods :

• No. of cases -5 (from Feb to July 2014 at our institute )

• Age – 50 - 65 years• Presenting symptoms : hesitancy, feeling

of incomplete emptying, nocturia• Duration of illness : 10 – 2 years under

treatment of urologist,diagnosed as BPH

Acupuncture therapy

• Acupoints:• Ren- 3 (CV-3), Ren-4 (CV-4)Zusanli (ST-36), Sanyinjiao (SP – 6) Ear Point -

endrocrine• Electro-acupuncture at all points (regular wave

120/min)• Duration – 20 minutes each session• Frequency – Every alternate day• No. of sittings for assessment – 20 sittings

Treatment contd…..

Drugs ( Tamsulosin & in 2 cases combined with finesteride ) were not stopped as patients were taking before

In spite of Drugs the patients had symptoms of illness continued - so they came for Acupuncture

Results

• Assessment was done at the end of 20 sittings

• Symptomatic improvement :Hesitancy lessNocturia: number of micturition less

• Symptomatic improvement noticed after 5 to 6 sittings

• Patients had subjective feeling of well being

Clinical assessment of symptoms only

• No investigation like uroflometry or USG was done by us

• In future we may take up such plans

Discussion

• There are records of such treatment in other centres

• This is our observation at our institute to share with you

• Acupuncture therapy can give additional relief of symptoms

Discussion contd…

• Probable mechanism may be more relaxation of smooth muscles of prostate and bladder neck

• In future only acupuncture treatment (stopping drugs) may be tried

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