Comparison of parasacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation and transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation in women with overactive bladder syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of parasacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation with the effects of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).

Studydesign: A randomized clinical trial was performed with 50 women aged 40-76 years with symptoms of OAB, divided into two groups: the parasacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation (PS) group and the transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTN) group. Both groups underwent the same protocol, at home, for 6 weeks, applying electrical stimulation three times per week. The tools used for evaluation were the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), the Overactive Bladder-Validated 8-question Awareness Tool (OAB-V8) and the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). Statistical analysis was undertaken using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-squared test and generalized estimating equations.

Results: After 6 weeks of treatment, OAB-V8 showed a significant improvement in the PTN group compared with the PS group (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.019). Post-intervention, no between-group differences were seen in terms of KHQ domains, average KHQ symptom scale and proportions of categories of ISI. All variables showed a significant effect of time after 6 weeks of treatment for both groups (p < 0.005).

Conclusion: Both forms of transcutaneous electrical stimulation seem to be effective and safe for home treatment of women with OAB.

Keywords: Overactive bladder; Quality of life; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; Urinary incontinence.