DOI: 10.1177/03601293261475413 ISSN: 0360-1293

Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined With Biofeedback Training on Postpartum Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Retrospective Study

Qian Liu
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Objective

This retrospective study evaluated whether adding acupuncture to biofeedback training improves outcomes in postpartum women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), compared with biofeedback alone.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed medical records of 80 postpartum women with SUI treated between January 2024 and December 2025. Based on their received treatment, patients were categorized into a control group (biofeedback alone, n  = 40) and a treatment group (acupuncture plus biofeedback, n  = 40). The acupuncture protocol consisted of 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks, while biofeedback was given 2 sessions/week. The Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) score, 1-h pad test weight, and pelvic floor surface electromyography (EMG) were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 3-month follow-up.

Results

At week 8, the treatment group showed greater improvements in I-QOL score (80.4 ± 7.6 vs. 62.9 ± 10.2, p  < 0.01) and pad test weight (3.9 ± 1.3 g vs. 6.9 ± 1.8 g, p  < 0.01) than the control group. EMG values were also higher in the treatment group (29.4 ± 3.4 μV vs. 20.9 ± 3.3 μV, p  < 0.01). The responder rate (≥30% I-QOL improvement from baseline to 3-month follow-up) was 92.5% in the treatment group versus 62.5% in controls (χ 2  = 10.32, p  = 0.001).

Conclusion

In this retrospective analysis, acupuncture combined with biofeedback was associated with significantly better symptom reduction (as measured by pad test weight) and quality of life than biofeedback alone in postpartum SUI. These findings support the need for further prospective trials.

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