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Acupuncture First for IC/BPS
Acupuncture as First-line Therapy for Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
Who can join
Ages 18 to 89 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Meets American Urologic Association (AUA) criteria for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS): "An unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms of more than 6 weeks duration, in the absence of other identifiable cause" * Negative urine culture * Has completed cystoscopic evaluation for IC/BPS Exclusion Criteria: * History of recurrent urinary tract infection (2 or more culture-positive in 6 months or 3 or more in 12 months) * History of overactive bladder * History of bleeding disorder or are currently on chronic anti-coagulation * Post-void residual \>100mL * Has previously undergone any of the following treatments for any indication: acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy, pre-tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral neuromodulation, or intradetrusor Botox * Prior bladder augmentation * Currently undergoing or will undergo treatment for a urologic or gynecologic malignancy * Currently pregnant (if applicable, based on self-report) * Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator (AICD) or any metallic implants below umbilicus (eg hip or knee replacements) * Non-English speaking and reading
About the study
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
What is being tested
- Acupuncture (other)
- Behavioral management (behavioral)
- Physical therapy (other)
Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center · Participants: 34 · Started: Jan 21, 2025
Contact the study team
- Jessica Abou Zeki · Phone: 216-286-0603
- Gabriella Rustia, MD · Phone: 216-202-0597
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06366269
Locations in the U.S.
| Ohio | University Hospitals, Cleveland |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.