Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation on demand during multichannel urodynamics: A new approach in the management of overactive bladder

Abstract

Background:Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) affects individuals across all ages and genders, reducing quality of life. Although Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) is an effective treatment, its acute effects on OAB remain underexplored. Objectives:This study aimed to assess the acute effects of TTNS on OAB through invasive urodynamics (UDI), using an intermittent, on-demand approach; with a focus on urinary urgency as the central axis for its application. Methods:A proof-of-concept trial was conducted involving patients with OAB symptoms and no previous treatment. An initial urodynamic evaluation (UDI DG) identified patients with detrusor overactivity (DO) associated with urgency, who then received on-demand TTNS during a second urodynamic study (UDI TENS). Parameters measured included the number of involuntary detrusor contractions (IDC), episodes of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). Statistical significance was assessed using Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon test, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 chosen as significance threshold. Results:Of the initial twenty-nine participants, 12 completed the study. UDI DG measurements showed an average of 3.33 ± 1.3 IDCs, 0.67 ± 0.98 UUI episodes, and MCC of 235 ± 79 ml. During UDI TENS results demonstrated a significant reduction in IDCs to 0.08 ± 0.29 (p ≤ 0.001), an absence of UUI episodes, and an increase in MCC to 315 ± 83 ml (p = 0.00012). Conclusions:Our findings suggest that an acute, on-demand TTNS protocol is effective for managing OAB symptoms and improvement of UDI parameters. However, the limited number of participants and absence of a control group highlight the need for further research through larger, controlled studies.