Electric needles may offer new hope for bladder emptying problems

NCT ID NCT06158074

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

Summary

This study tested two types of electrical nerve stimulation to help people who cannot fully empty their bladder due to nerve damage. 70 adults with non-obstructive urinary retention received either pudendal nerve stimulation with long needles or sacral neuromodulation. The main goal was to see how much the leftover urine in the bladder decreased after treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (EPNS) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a non-drug, non-surgical option to help people with nerve-related urinary retention empty their bladder more completely.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study with 70 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure involves needles and electrical stimulation, which may cause discomfort or not work for all patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Urinary Retention

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Shanghai research institute of acupuncture and meridian

    Shanghai, 200030, China