TTNS in SCI Patients With Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity

Overview

This is a prospective, single-arm, pilot study to assess effectiveness and tolerability of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in managing neurogenic detrusor overactivity in spinal cord injury patients. 12 - 16 spinal cord injury patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity will be recruited. The intervention includes administration of TTNS at the highest tolerated level for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks, using a neuromodulation device -- Tensi+. Outcome measures including Urodynamic Study (UDS) will be retrieved or collected at baseline and collected after the 4 weeks of TTNS administration. Other outcome measures include Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-Q-SF), which will be administered before and after TTNS administration, subject's level of discomfort and any adverse events experienced by the subject will be recorded after each intervention session and a bladder diary will be recorded weekly for subjects not on indwelling urinary catheters. A TTNS satisfaction survey will also be performed at the end of the study.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of TTNS in spinal cord injury patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity (NDO): a cohort of population where NDO is more prevalent but there are insufficient research and studies to look into different stimulation protocols and parameters to achieve more sustainable and longer lasting effects in patients with spinal cord injuries. This is a prospective single-arm pilot study in spinal cord injury patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Suitable subjects will be seen at the wards during their inpatient stay and will be enrolled into the study if they meet the study inclusion criteria, have no contraindication urodynamic study and are able to give informed consent. The TTNS will be administered to subjects at the highest tolerated level for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks. The TTNS will be administered using a neuromodulation device - Tensi+. It is a wearable device consisting of a longitudinal piece with two silicone graphite electrodes that can be strapped on the patient's ankle after application of a conductor gel. The device has a single power button to turn on/off the device and another button to adjust the level of neurostimulation, as tolerated. It has an in-built safety mechanism that will be automatically activated to limit the maximum current delivered to 50mA, at any level of intensity chosen. Outcome measures include Urodynamic Study which will be collected at baseline (Week 0, before starting TTNS stimulations) and after the end of TTNS simulations (Week 5, after completing all TTNS stimulations). Other outcome measures include Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-Q-SF), which will be administered before (Week 0) and after TTNS administration (Week 5), subject's level of discomfort and any adverse events experienced by the subject will be recorded after each intervention session (Weeks 1-4) and a bladder diary will be recorded weekly for subjects not on indwelling urinary catheters (Weeks 1-4). A TTNS satisfaction survey will also be performed at the end of the study (Week 5).