Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
PURPOSE: We determined whether transcutaneous electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot of cats would induce a post-stimulation increase in bladder capacity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 12 α-chloralose anesthetized cats electrical stimulation (5 Hz) was applied to the skin of the hind foot for 2, 30-minute periods via dual pad electrodes attached on the plantar and dorsal surfaces (combination 1 and 2) or at 2 sites on the plantar surface (combination 1 and 3). The post-stimulation effect was examined by repeat cystometrogram after 30-minute stimulation. In the control group of 12 cats isovolumetric contractions were allowed to continue during each 30-minute period without stimulation.
RESULTS: Stimulation inhibited isovolumetric rhythmic bladder contractions. Bladder capacity was not increased after the first 30-minute foot stimulation via electrodes 1 and 2 but it was significantly increased a mean ± SE of 47.5% ± 2.9% after the second 30-minute stimulation via electrodes 1 and 3. After inducing the post-stimulation effect the foot stimulation applied during cystometrograms via electrodes 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 elicited a further increase in bladder capacity (mean 23.26% ± 17.64% and 20.07% ± 18.59%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the transcutaneous plantar electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot can induce a post-stimulation increase in bladder capacity, suggesting that an intermittent stimulation pattern rather than continuous stimulation might be effective as clinical application to treat overactive bladder symptoms.
Written by:
Chen G, Larson JA, Ogagan PD, Shen B, Wang J, Roppolo JR, de Groat WC, Tai C. Are you the author?
Reference: J Urol. 2012 Jan;187(1):338-43. Epub 2011 Nov 17.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22099982
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