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

Abstract

Objectives A non‐invasive protocol was previously developed using three‐dimensional ultrasound and a sensation meter to characterize real‐time bladder sensation. This study the protocol by measuring the effects of fill rateand ultrasound probe pressure during oral hydration. Methods Healthy volunteers with no urinary symptoms (based on International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Overactive Bladder surveys) were recruited into an oral hydration study. Throughout two complete fill–void cycles, participants drank 2 L Gatorade G2 (The Gatorade Company, Inc., Chicago, Illinois) and used a touch‐screen sensation meter to record real‐time bladder sensation (0%‐100%). The study was repeated three times, once per week (Visits A, B, and C). In Visits A and B, ultrasound was used to measure bladder volume every 5 minutes. Ultrasound was not used in Visit C except at 100% capacity. Volume data from Visit B were used to estimate volumes throughout the fills in Visit C. Sensation–capacity curves were generated for each fill for comparative analysis. Results Ten participants completed three visits (60 total fills). Increased fill rate led to decreased sensation throughout filling, andultrasound probe pressure led to increased sensation. Participants reported higher sensation at low volumes during Fill 1 of Visit A before training with the sensation meter. Sensation curves with intermittent ultrasound showed repeatability for Fill 2 in Visits A and B. Fill rate and ultrasound probe pressure affect real‐time bladder sensation during oral hydration. Conclusions This study demonstrated repeatability of real‐time bladder sensation during a two‐fill oral hydration protocol with ultrasound.

Mp56-09 effect of Filling Rate on Bladder Sensation Event Descriptors in Overactive Versus Healthy Bladders During Non-Invasive Hydration Studies

“…This is reflective of the typical OAB population which includes a higher percentage of women [ 2 ]. Additionally, participants underwent ultrasound examinations throughout the protocol, and external pressure from these examinations may have affected bladder sensation [ 4 ].…”

“…Sensation events were recorded when the meter was moved to a new sensation level for at least 10 seconds based on previous methods [ 6 ]. Additionally, volume and percent capacity were estimated by determining the average fill rate by dividing total filling volume by fill duration, separately for the slow and fast fill [ 4 , 5 ]. Example participant data is shown in Figures 1C and 1D .…”

“…To address this, a previously engineered tablet-based sensation meter was developed and tested. This sensation meter enables recording of real-time changes in sensation and unique sensation event descriptors during non-invasive oral hydration [ 4 - 6 ]. The sensation event descriptors of “pressure”, “tingling”, “tense” and “painful” were developed in focus group introspection studies [ 7 , 8 ] and evaluated during oral hydration studies in normal participants [ 4 , 6 ].…”

Should we be revisiting LUT basic science and clinical measurement of LUT sensation to improve patient care? ICI‐RS 2019

“…Nagle et al developed a tablet‐based “Sensation Meter” to record unprompted, patient‐reported sensation on a scale of 0% (no sensation of fullness) to 100% (maximum sensation of fullness) and reported that individuals with and without OAB show different shifts in sensation‐capacity curves when comparing slow vs fast filling during oral hydration studies . Moreover, Sheen et al reported changes in sensation‐capacity curves due to external bladder compression from an abdominal ultrasound probe. For each change in sensation, or “sensation event,” during filling, participants using the Sensation Meter also recorded sensation event descriptors of “tense,” “pressure,” “tingling,” “painful,” and/or “other.” These descriptors are based on an earlier study, and a recent study with the Sensation Meter showed that individuals with OAB experience tingling and tense feelings at lower fullness sensations than individuals without OAB .…”

“…(Table ). Other systems include the use of a visual analog scale (VAS), keypad electronic urge score device, and a sensation meter …”