The body‐worn alarm in the treatment of childhood enuresis

Abstract

SummaryTwo studies examined the effectiveness of the body‐worn alarm in out‐patient treatment of childhood nocturnal enuresis. The first involved 40 children, previously untreated by conditioning methods, treated with either the body‐worn alarm or the traditional pad and bell alarm. The second study compared the body‐worn alarm with modified dry‐bed training with 48 children previously resistant to treatment.Results of both studies indicated the body‐worn alarm was as effective as other methods in terms of the proportion of children successfully treated and was superior with respect to rapidity of response and consumer appeal. Such findings indicate that the body‐worn alarm could become the treatment of choice for nocturnal enuresis.

Comparison of wireless and wired alarm devices for nocturnal enuresis treatment

“…Reports of alarm therapy using the same FR definition (14 consecutive dry nights) have indicated that 58%–62% achieved FR after 12 weeks of treatment 16–18 . Despite the greater early treatment effects obtained with WL devices, the present FR rate was lower than that in previous studies 4,16–18 . An explanation for this could be that the patients in the present study were treated previously with lifestyle modification and/or pharmacotherapy by referring clinicians, because NE treatment is widespread, even in primary care clinics in Japan.…”

“…[16][17][18] Despite the greater early treatment effects obtained with WL devices, the present FR rate was lower than that in previous studies. 4,[16][17][18] An explanation for this could be that the patients in the present study were treated previously with lifestyle modification and/or pharmacotherapy by referring clinicians, because NE treatment is widespread, even in primary care clinics in Japan. It is therefore possible that some patients who were refractory to treatment by lifestyle modification or pharmacotherapy could have been included; this is a common limitation of retrospective studies.…”

“…The secondary outcomes included the FR and PR at 4, 12, and 24 weeks of therapy, reduction in wet nights of over 14 days at week 24 compared to baseline, and achievement of FR at the final follow up. Endpoints were selected to confirm the early treatment effects at week 4 4 and late effects at week 24. 12,13 Furthermore, the mean number of wet nights per week was evaluated before the treatment and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the treatment, and the number of weeks it took to achieve FR was also evaluated.…”

“…2,3 The modern alarm system uses a urine-sensitive detector that activates sound and vibration to signal the child or caregiver. 4 The most widely used system is a wearable alarm consisting of a small sensor attached to the child's underwear and connected to an alarm box. Bell-and-pad alarm systems are also widely used for the treatment of enuresis.…”