Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training for postpartum stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Postpartum stress urinary incontinence is a common postpartum complication. Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training has certain clinical effects. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training in the treatment of postpartum stress urinary incontinence.Data sources We searched randomized controlled trials in eight databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Sinomed, as well as the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. The search was conducted on 6 February 2025.Methods After the retrieved literature were screened and the relevant data were extracted, RevMan 5.4 software was used to conduct the statistical analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using the methods recommended in the Cochrane Handbook.Results Twenty-one studies with 1867 participants were included in the review. Compared with pelvic floor rehabilitation training alone, acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training improved the clinical efficacy rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.19-1.29) and pelvic floor muscle potential (mean difference (MD) = 10.85, 95% CI = 9.28-12.43) and reduced the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form score (MD = -2.32, 95% CI = -3.06 to -1.58) and 1-hour pad test (MD = -1.80, 95% CI = -2.32 to -1.28) in patients with postpartum stress urinary incontinence.Conclusion Current literature reviewed here suggests that the combination of acupuncture and pelvic floor rehabilitation training may offer benefits in the management of stress urinary incontinence in postpartum women over pelvic floor rehabilitation training alone.Registration number PROSPERO CRD42023455801.