Can acupuncture ease bladder pain without drugs?

NCT ID NCT06366269

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether adding acupuncture to standard behavioral changes can better relieve bladder pain in women with interstitial cystitis. Thirty-four women who have not had prior treatments will receive either behavioral management alone or behavioral management plus weekly acupuncture for six weeks. Researchers will track pain scores and overall improvement to see if acupuncture offers extra relief.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: acupuncture
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free first-line option to reduce bladder pain and improve quality of life for women with interstitial cystitis.
What could go wrong: This is a small early trial with only 34 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Acupuncture may not provide additional benefit over behavioral changes alone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

interstitial cystitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BLADDER PAIN SYNDROME INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospitals
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States

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