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

Summary

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

Eligibility

Age range

18–89 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Other
  Acupuncture

  traditional and electroacupuncture

• Behavioral
  Behavioral management

  based on American urologic association guidelines

• Other
  Physical therapy

  pelvic floor with biofeedback

Location