Comparison of the Effects of Electrical Stimulation and Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effects of transvaginal electrical stimulation (ES) and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Methods: Women applying with symptoms of urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without incontinence and diagnosed with OAB were divided into an ES or PTNS group. Bladder diary, urodynamics, 1-hour pad test, and King’s Health Questionnaire were performed before and after treatment. ES was applied for 20 min, 6–8 weeks with pulses of 10–50 Hz square waves at a 300-µs or 1-ms pulse duration and a maximal output current of 24–60 mA with 5–10 Hz frequency, three times per week. PTNS was applied for 30 min once a week for 12 weeks. Results: Thirty-five patients received ES, 17 patients received PTNS. Pad test, urinary diary, and quality of life parameters after both treatments decreased significantly; the decrease in the ES group was greater. The number of patients who describe themselves as cured was higher in the ES group. Conclusion: PTNS and ES are both effective in the treatment of OAB with significant improvement in objective and subjective parameters. Objective results show no significant difference between the two groups; however, the number of patients who describe themselves as cured in the ES group was significantly higher.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder—techniques and efficacy

“…It is thought that pelvic floor muscle stimulation leads to reflex contraction of the striated paraurethral and periurethral muscles with simultaneous reflex inhibition of the detrusor muscle. Ugurlucan et al (2013) [17] compared the effects of transvaginal electrical stimulation (ES) and PTNS in a randomized controlled trial. The study demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in objective measurements.…”

Management of overactive bladder review: the role of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation

“…The result showed that both ES and PTNS were effective in OAB treatment with significant improvement in subjective and objective parameters, but without significant difference between the two groups. 20 Thus, PTNS is considered more effective than TENS and suggested as a cheaper, safer and less invasive alternative to SNS and ES. 21 …”

Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

“…32,71 -75 In another study comparing the effects of ES and PTNS in the treatment of OAB, both treatments were effective, but the number of patients who describe themselves as cured in the ES group was significantly higher than PTNS. 76…”