Laser acupuncture therapy for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

Purpose: Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is the nighttime bed-wetting that occurs among children without lower urinary tract symptoms or bladder dysfunction, and affects a considerable part of the population. In our study the effect of laser acupuncture therapy on patients with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, single-blind study.

Materials and methods: A total of 91 children with a mean age of 8.6 years who presented to our outpatient clinic with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and had not received any medical therapy were included in the study. The children were randomized into 2 groups. In group 1 laser acupuncture was performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks, whereas the same program via a nonlaser light to the same points was performed on the children in group 2 (placebo group). The number of weekly bed-wetting episodes before therapy was recorded, and the children were reevaluated 15, 30, 90 and 180 days after treatment.

Results: The mean number of bed-wetting episodes was 1.7 per week 6 months after laser therapy. In the placebo group the mean number of weekly bed-wetting episodes was 3.1. Laser acupuncture therapy was significantly more beneficial compared to placebo in terms of complete dryness, partial improvement and a decrease in the mean number of weekly bed-wetting episodes.

Conclusions: Laser acupuncture therapy, a noninvasive, painless, short-term therapy with a low cost, can be considered as an alternative therapy for patients with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.