Effects of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Adults

Dow University of Health Sciences60 enrolled

Overview

For overactive bladder symptoms, there are numerous physiotherapy techniques have been found to be beneficial. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve is one of those treatment options, that is entirely a non-invasive, easy to apply, and cost-effective technique. Transcutaneous stimulation of the tibial nerve targets the sacral nerve plexus that contracts the pelvic floor muscles and controls the bladder function. This research aims to study the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in adults with overactive bladder symptoms along with the conventional physiotherapy for overactive bladder (pelvic floor muscle training through Kegel's exercises) among 60 patients with overactive bladder symptoms on the basis of non-probability purposive sampling technique with screening for study criteria through a consultant urologist. After taking informed consent, all participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive pelvic floor muscles training through Kegels exercises along with transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve and Group B will receive pelvic floor muscles training through Kegels exercises. The treatment duration will of six weeks. Outcomes will be assessed before the start of the treatment and after the end of the treatment sessions.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Overactive Bladder

Interventions

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation along with pelvic floor muscle srengtheningOTHER

Pelvic floor muscles strengthening: Pelvic floor muscles training involves Kegel's exercises. Kegel exercises improve the function and tone of the pelvic floor. Kegel exercises represent the voluntary contraction and relaxation of the levator ani muscle (principally the pubococcygeus and puborectalis portions), which supports the vagina, bladder, and urethra. The slow contractions help with muscle strengthening. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of Tibial Nerve: Transcutaneous Tibial nerve stimulation is a form of treatment technique that involves the use of electrical impulses to address urinary symptoms and target the lower urinary tract.

Pelvic floor muscles strengtheningOTHER

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 30 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically diagnosed overactive bladder * A total OABSS score of 3 or more and an urgency score of 2 or more * 30-65 years old Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Acute urinary tract infection (within 15 days) * Any surgical procedure for urinary incontinence * Genito-urinary cancer history * Stage II pelvic organ prolapse according to pelvic organ prolapse-quantification system * Lesion on the site of stimulation or around it * Pelvic pacemakers * Lower limbs prostheses * Patients who will not be able to perform Kegel's exercises * An impaired sensation at the site of stimulation. * Patients receiving any treatment other than the prescribed medications by the referring physician (that will be the same for all patients of both groups) will be excluded.

Locations (3)

Dow University Hospital

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Dow University of Health Sciences

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score from baseline at sixth week

OABSS is a validated instrument which evaluates the four cardinal symptoms (day and nighttime frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence) of OAB in a one score. A total OABSS score of 3 or more and an urgency score of 2 or more is the recommended cut-off for diagnosing OAB, and the severity is further divided into mild (total score of 3-5 points), moderate (6-11 points) and severe (12 or more points). Patients will be evaluated at baseline and 6 weeks after the intervention through OABSS.

Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks