To compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) at two different current amplitude thresholds (sensory and motor) in terms of urinary habit, symptoms and the degree of discomfort of overactive bladder (OAB) in older women.
This is a randomized, controlled, 3-arm blinded trial. One hundred and one patients attending secondary care with OAB were randomized into one of three groups: group 1, TTNS sensitivity threshold (n = 39); group 2, TTNS motor threshold (n = 33); and control group 3 (n = 29).
Participants allocated to groups 1 and 2 had 8 sessions of TTNS for 30 min, twice a week. Group 3 received no intervention. The results measured were the symptoms of overactive bladder (ICIQ-OAB, overall score), bother scales (to indicate the impact of individual symptoms for the patient) and urinary habit (3-day bladder diary). A blind assessor measured outcomes at baseline and 5 weeks after randomization.
After five weeks, a statistically significant difference between group 3 (control) and group 1 (TTNS sensitivity threshold) and group 2 (TTNS motor threshold) was observed in the intergroup analysis, but no difference in the outcomes analyzed was detected between the two groups receiving intervention (groups 1 and 2).
TTNS is effective in the treatment of OAB in older women, with no difference between the sensitivity and motor thresholds.
Registro Brasileiros de Ensaios Clínicos (RBR-39DZ5V).
Maturitas. 2020 Feb 24 [Epub]
Aline Teixeira Alve, Patrícia Azevedo Garcia, Raquel Henriques Jácomo, João Batista de Sousa, Lara Borges Gullo Ramos Pereira, Liana Barbaresco Gomide Mateus, Margô Gomes de Oliveira Karnikoskwi
University of Brasilia, Centro Metropolitano, Conjunto A, Lote 01, Universidade De Brasília - Campus Ceilândia, Zip-code: 72220-90 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ., University of Brasília, Centro Metropolitano, Conjunto A, Lote 0, Universidade De Brasília - Campus Ceilândia, Zip-code: 72220-90 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ., Physiotherapist. University Hospital of Brasilia, Unit of Rehabilitation Hospital Universitário De Brasília SGAN 605, Av. L2 Norte, Unidade De Reabilitação, Zip-code: 70.840-901 Brasília, DF Brazil. Electronic address: ., University of Brasilia, Hospital Universitário De Brasília SGAN 605, Av. L2 Norte Clínica Cirúrgica Zip-code: 70.840-901 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ., Regional Hospital of Sobradinho, Ospital Regional De Sobradinho Quadra 12, Área Especial, Zip-code: 70.297-400 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ., University of Brasília, Centro Metropolitano, Conjunto A, Lote 01, Universidade De Brasília - Campus Ceilândia, Zip-code: 72220-90 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ., University of Brasília, Centro Metropolitano, Conjunto A, Lote 01, Universidade De Brasília - Campus Ceilândia Zip-code: 72220-90 Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: .