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Acupuncture and Behavioral Management for Bladder Pain Syndrome

This study is looking into whether acupuncture, when combined with behavioral changes, can better treat bladder pain syndrome (also known as interstitial cystitis) in women who haven't tried other treatments. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 89 years old, meet specific criteria for bladder pain syndrome, and have a negative urine culture. The researchers want to see if acupuncture improves your pain symptoms, measured by a survey called the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Index (OLSICI). The study compares six weeks of behavioral management alone to behavioral management plus acupuncture. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 34 participants. It compares two groups: one receiving behavioral management alone, and another receiving behavioral management and acupuncture.
What's involved
You would complete surveys about your symptoms, make behavioral changes, attend six weekly acupuncture sessions, and then six weekly physical therapy sessions.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your symptoms will be monitored for 52 weeks after your treatment period ends.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06366269

Acupuncture First for IC/BPS

Recruiting
NAAges 18–89InterventionalTreatment
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
~34 participants
Updated 2026-01-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:AcupunctureBehavioral managementPhysical therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Index (OLSICI)
Measured over Baseline, every 2 weeks x3 (6 week study protocol period), every 4 weeks x 13 (52 week post-treatment period)

Conditions

Bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis

Explore related trials

Interstitial Cystitis

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Ohio1

Study leadership

  • David Sheyn, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Who to contact

Jessica Abou Zeki
[email protected]
216-286-0603
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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

What this trial measures

  • O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Index (OLSICI)Baseline, every 2 weeks x3 (6 week study protocol period), every 4 weeks x 13 (52 week post-treatment period)

    Validated 8-item questionnaire with reported scores ranging 0-37. Higher scores are consistent with worse symptoms.