An innovative, non‐invasive sensation meter allows for a more comprehensive understanding of bladder sensation events: A prospective study in participants with normal bladder function

Abstract

Aims: There is currently no standardized method of characterizing changes in bladder sensation during bladder filling outside of the urodynamics laboratory. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize real-time bladder sensation events using a sensation meter during oral hydration in individuals with normal bladder function. Methods: Participants enrolled in an accelerated hydration study drank 2 L Gatorade-G2® and utilized a sensation meter to record real-time bladder sensation (0–100%), verbal sensory thresholds, and sensation descriptors of “tense,” “pressure,” “tingling,” “painful,” and “other” for two consecutive fill-void cycles. Results: Data from 21 participants (12 females/9 males) were obtained and demonstrated an average of 8–9 sensation events (significant changes in sensation) per fill with no differences in the total number of sensation events and volume between sensation events (fill 1 vs fill 2). An increased number of sensation events occurred at higher capacity quartiles. Event descriptors of “pressure” and “tingling” were the most commonly chosen descriptors in both fills. Conclusions: The innovative sensation meter includes the sensation event descriptors of “tense,” “tingling,” “pressure,” and “painful,” to enable a more comprehensive understanding of bladder sensation as well as real-time identification, quantification, and characterization of sensation events. The study demonstrates 8–9 events per fill, acceleration of sensation during filling, and unique sensation event descriptor patterns. This technology may be helpful in the identification of novel sensation patterns associated with overactive bladder (OAB) and aging.

Validation of a real‐time bladder sensation meter during oral hydration in healthy adults: Repeatability and effects of fill rate and ultrasound probe pressure

“…Healthy volunteers without symptoms of urinary urgency were asked to complete the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on OAB (ICIq‐OAB) survey and recruited for our comparative‐fill oral hydration study . Following our previous published methodology, only participants who scored 0 (never) on question 5a (“Do you have to rush to the toilet to urinate?”) and ≤1 on all other questions were enrolled to ensure that participants had no evidence of OAB.…”

“…4,5 Due to the invasiveness, patient risk, and cost of this test, noninvasive hydration protocols have been developed to characterize realtime bladder sensation in patients with and without OAB. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Some of these studies have used a tablet-based sensation meter that participants used to track real-time, unprompted bladder sensation. 6,8 In addition, several previous studies have used three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to measure bladder volume, 12 shape, 13 and biomechanics.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11] Some of these studies have used a tablet-based sensation meter that participants used to track real-time, unprompted bladder sensation. 6,8 In addition, several previous studies have used three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to measure bladder volume, 12 shape, 13 and biomechanics. 14 Together, the use of the sensation meter and ultrasound permits non-invasive assessments of bladder sensation and function; however, these techniques require participant training on the use of the sensation meter, and bladder sensation is potentially influenced by pressure from the ultrasound probe.…”

New Diagnostics for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

“…[51] This new metric generates a sensation-capacity curve throughout the filling phase which enables comparisons of different pathologies, including overactive bladder (OAB). [51][52] In addition, the technology gives more accurate and detailed description of bladder sensation during filling using the phrases, adopting the terminology established by Heeringa et al, as "tense," "tingling," "pressure," and "painful". [51][52][53][54] Lowenstein et al 55 also developed a similar device to allow for continuous sensation data collection during UDS.…”

“…[51][52] In addition, the technology gives more accurate and detailed description of bladder sensation during filling using the phrases, adopting the terminology established by Heeringa et al, as "tense," "tingling," "pressure," and "painful". [51][52][53][54] Lowenstein et al 55 also developed a similar device to allow for continuous sensation data collection during UDS. These investigators completed a feasibility study with the Urgeometer, a handheld device allowing for reporting of sensation on a continuum from no urge to strongest imaginable urge.…”