Aim: To compare the effects of transvaginal electrical stimulation (ES) and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).
Methods: Women applying with symptoms of urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without incontinence and diagnosed with OAB were divided into an ES or PTNS group. Bladder diary, urodynamics, 1-hour pad test, and King's Health Questionnaire were performed before and after treatment. ES was applied for 20 min, 6-8 weeks with pulses of 10-50 Hz square waves at a 300-µs or 1-ms pulse duration and a maximal output current of 24-60 mA with 5-10 Hz frequency, three times per week. PTNS was applied for 30 min once a week for 12 weeks.
Results: Thirty-five patients received ES, 17 patients received PTNS. Pad test, urinary diary, and quality of life parameters after both treatments decreased significantly; the decrease in the ES group was greater. The number of patients who describe themselves as cured was higher in the ES group.
Conclusion: PTNS and ES are both effective in the treatment of OAB with significant improvement in objective and subjective parameters. Objective results show no significant difference between the two groups; however, the number of patients who describe themselves as cured in the ES group was significantly higher.
Written by:
Gungor Ugurlucan F, Onal M, Aslan E, Ayyildiz Erkan H, Kizilkaya Beji N, Yalcin O. Are you the author?
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
Reference: Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2012 Nov 16. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1159/000343756
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23171636
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