Immediate effects of Zhongji point acupuncture on pelvic floor structure in female patients with stress urinary incontinence: a randomized, single-blind, and sham-controlled clinical trial protocol

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as involuntary leakage of urine from the external urethra due to increased abdominal pressure, for example, upon sneezing, coughing, or exercise. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for patients with SUI, although objective evidence of its benefits or mechanism of action is limited. Patients with SUI often harbor structural changes of pelvic floor, the parameters of which are measurable...