Objective

2

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint massage

acupoint sticking combined with moxibustion at Shuidao (ST 28) for postpartum urinary retention.

Methods

2

A total of 120 patients with postpartum urinary retention were randomly divided a triple-combination group

a double-combination group

and a massage group

with 40 patients in each group. All groups received standard postpartum care to stimulate urination. The patients in the massage group received rapid acupoint massage at the bilateral Shuidao (ST 28); the patients in the double-combination group additionally received acup

oint sticking of self-made

Tongquan

powder at bilateral Shuidao (ST 28); the patients in the triple-combination group further received moxibustion at bilateral Shuidao (ST 28). The treatment was given once in all three groups. After 5 hours of treatment completion

bladder residual volume was measured; the time and volume of first urination as well as total urination volume after 5 hours of treatment completion were recorded; the patients' sensation of urination smoothness

satisfaction rate

length of hospital stay

and hospital costs were evaluated.

Results

2

The triple-combination group showed significantly lower residual urine volumes (

P

<

0.05)

earlier first urination time (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001)

and higher first urination volumes and total urination volumes after 5 hours of treatment completion compared to the other two groups (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001). The sensation of urination smoothness and patient satisfaction were also significantly better in the triple-combination group (

P

<

0.001

P

<

0.05). The double-combination group had higher volume of first urination and total urination volume after 5 hours of treatment completion than the massage group (

P

<

0.05)

and better sensation of urination smoothness and patient satisfaction (

P

<

0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay and costs among the three groups (

P

>

0.05). The total effective rates were 100.0% (40/40) for the triple-combination group

90.0% (36/40) for the double-combination group

and 70.0% (28/40) for the massage group

with the triple-combination group significantly outperforming the other two groups (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001)

and double-combination group outperforming the massage group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Acupoint massage

acupoint sticking combined with moxibustion at Shuidao (ST 28) could effectively improve urination in patients with postpartum urinary retention

and enhance patient satisfaction.