Acupuncture First for IC/BPS

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture in addition to behavioral changes can better treat in women with bladder pain syndrome (also known as interstitial cystitis) that have not received other treatments. The main question it aims to answer is: Does acupuncture improve pain symptoms on the Interstitial Cystitis Index? Researchers will compare six (6) weeks behavioral management alone to behavioral management and acupuncture. Participants will * complete surveys about their bladder pain symptoms * make behavioral changes that have been shown to improve bladder pain symptoms * attend six (6) weekly acupuncture sessions * attend six (6) weekly physical therapy sessions after finishing acupuncture

Conditions

Bladder Pain Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture in addition to behavioral changes can better treat in women with bladder pain syndrome (also known as interstitial cystitis) that have not received other treatments. The main question it aims to answer is: Does acupuncture improve pain symptoms on the Interstitial Cystitis Index? Researchers will compare six (6) weeks behavioral management alone to behavioral management and acupuncture. Participants will * complete surveys about their bladder pain symptoms * make behavioral changes that have been shown to improve bladder pain symptoms * attend six (6) weekly acupuncture sessions * attend six (6) weekly physical therapy sessions after finishing acupuncture

Acupuncture as First-line Therapy for Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Acupuncture First for IC/BPS

Condition
Bladder Pain Syndrome
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Cleveland

University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Meets American Urologic Association (AUA) criteria for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS): "An unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms of more than 6 weeks duration, in the absence of other identifiable cause"
  • * Negative urine culture
  • * Has completed cystoscopic evaluation for IC/BPS
  • * History of recurrent urinary tract infection (2 or more culture-positive in 6 months or 3 or more in 12 months)
  • * History of overactive bladder
  • * History of bleeding disorder or are currently on chronic anti-coagulation
  • * Post-void residual \>100mL
  • * Has previously undergone any of the following treatments for any indication: acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy, pre-tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral neuromodulation, or intradetrusor Botox
  • * Prior bladder augmentation
  • * Currently undergoing or will undergo treatment for a urologic or gynecologic malignancy
  • * Currently pregnant (if applicable, based on self-report)
  • * Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator (AICD) or any metallic implants below umbilicus (eg hip or knee replacements)
  • * Non-English speaking and reading

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center,

David Sheyn, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2026-10