A PILOT STUDY OF THE HOME APPLICATION OF TRANSCUTANEOUS NEUROMODULATION IN CHILDREN WITH URGENCY OR URGE INCONTINENCE

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for refractory daytime urinary urge incontinence

PURPOSE

We studied the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in children with overactive bladder and treatment refractory daytime urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recruited 27 children 5 to 14 years old with daytime urge incontinence refractory to timer assisted standard urotherapy and anticholinergics who had normal urinalysis, and unremarkable urinary tract ultrasound and physical examination. Study exclusion criteria were bladder underactivity, lower urinary tract obstruction, ongoing defecation disorders, lower urinary tract surgery and previous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. After a 2-week run-in of standard urotherapy the children underwent natural fill ambulatory urodynamics to confirm detrusor overactivity. Subsequently they were randomly allocated to 4 weeks of 2 hours of daily active or placebo S2-S3 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The severity of incontinence and urgency, and 48-hour bladder diaries were recorded before randomization and during intervention week 4. Children withdrew from anticholinergics throughout the study period.

RESULTS

Two children were excluded from randomization due to urodynamic signs of lower urinary tract obstruction. After 4 weeks of intervention 8 children (61%) in the active group showed a significant decrease in incontinence severity but this occurred in only 2 (17%) in the sham treated group (p <0.05). The active group had a significantly greater decrease in daily incontinence episodes compared to the sham treated group (p <0.01). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation did not alter maximal and average voided volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation seems superior to placebo for refractory daytime incontinence in children with overactive bladder. This effect does not seem to be a consequence of improved bladder reservoir function.

O uso da neuromodulação no tratamento das disfunções de eliminações

OBJETIVO: Apresentar a experiência clínica com o uso de neuromodulação através de eletroestimulação transcutânea no tratamento das disfunções de eliminação. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente seis pacientes com disfunções de eliminação submetidos à neuromodulação através de eletroestimulação percutânea peri-sacral. Todos os pacientes incluídos eram refratários ao tratamento clínico convencional e a eletroestimulação foi utilizada como terapia de resgate. As sessões terapêuticas eram semanais e o seguimento mínimo foi de seis meses. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes obtiveram melhora clínica. Quatro pacientes não necessitaram de mais medicação. Todos aceitaram bem o tratamento e referiram melhora da qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: A eletroestimulação percutânea mostrou-se útil no tratamento das disfunções do assoalho pélvico e da musculatura vesical.

Preliminary results of peripheral transcutaneous neuromodulation in the treatment of idiopathic fecal incontinence

PURPOSE

Few therapeutic tools are available for treating idiopathic anal incontinence. Sacral neuromodulation appears to be effective in selected patients but requires surgical implantation of a permanent electrical stimulator. The aim of this work was to assess the efficiency of posterior tibial nerve (PTN) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of anal idiopathic incontinence.

METHODS

Ten women were treated by PTN TENS, 20 min a day for 4 weeks. Functional results were evaluated by Wexner's incontinence score and anorectal manometry.

RESULTS

Eight of the ten patients showed a 60% mean improvement of their incontinence score after 4 weeks. This improvement remained stable over the 12-week follow-up period. Manometric parameters did not differ before and after stimulation.

CONCLUSION

PTN neuromodulation without surgically implanted electrode could represent a safe and low-cost alternative to permanent sacral neuromodulation for idiopathic anal incontinence.

Sacral neuromodulation in lower urinary tract dysfunction

Vesico-urethral dysfunction is a major problem in daily medical practice due to its psychological disturbances, its social costs and its high impact on quality of life. Recently, sacral neuromodulation, namely the electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves, appears to have become an alternative for radical bladder surgery particularly in cases of idiopathic bladder overactivity. The mechanism of action is only partially understood but it seems to involve a modulation in the spinal cord due to stimulation of inhibitory interneurons. Temporary sacral nerve stimulation is the first step. It comprises the temporary application of neuromodulation as a diagnostic test to determine the best location for the implant and to control the integrity of the sacral root. If test stimulation is successful, a permanent device is implanted. This procedure is safe in experienced hands. So-called idiopathic bladder overactivity still the major indication for this technique. Patients not likely to benefit from the procedure were those with complete or almost complete spinal lesions, but incomplete spinal lesions seemed to be a potential indication. This technique is now also indicated in the case of idiopathic chronic retention and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. When selection is performed, more than three-quarters of the patients showed a clinically significant response with 50% or more reduction in the frequency of incontinent episodes, but the results vary according to the author's mode of evaluation. From the economic point of view, the initial investment in the device is amortized in the mid-term by savings related to lower urinary tract dysfunction. Finally, this technique requires an attentive follow-up and adjustments to the electric parameters so as to optimize the equilibrium between the neurological systems.

Percutaneous neuromodulation

Neuromodulation for pelvic floor dysfunction has evolved from central sacral stimulation, a relatively invasive, experimental procedure, to percutaneous peripheral neurostimulation, which is both minimally invasive and well-tolerated by patients. Multiple series have now reported consistent positive results for varied manifestations of pelvic floor dysfunction. Future applications will involve an implantable peripheral neurostimulator coupling with the posterior tibial nerve, empowering patients to adjust the frequency or amplitude of stimulation. It is anticipated that broader availability of this modality will offer hope to the frequently underdiagnosed and underreported population of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Neuromodulation in pediatrics

Several neuromodulatory options are available for selected children who have voiding dysfunction resistant to conventional therapy. Integral to all types of treatment is an educated team that reinforces progress rather than cure and encourages long-term behavioral changes.

THE USE OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF BLADDER DYSFUNCTION: A REVIEW OF METHODS

PURPOSE

We reviewed the literature on the application of various devices and techniques for the electrical stimulation treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction with respect to mechanism of action and clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was done in PubMed of publications on intravesical stimulation, direct bladder stimulation, stimulation of the pelvic and pudendal nerves, transcutaneous-electrical nerve stimulation, stimulation of the sacral spine and roots, and lower limb stimulation.

RESULTS

It is difficult truly to compare different treatment modalities because there are hardly any randomized placebo controlled studies. Also, there is considerable variety in treatment parameters and schedules reported as well as in criteria for success. Nevertheless, it can be said that electrical neurostimulation and neuromodulation result in a 30% to 50% clinical success on an intent to treat basis. Influencing lower urinary tract innervation at the level of sacral roots seems successful in neurological and nonneurological cases. It has the advantage of pretesting possibilities to improve patient selection and treatment outcome with the obvious drawback of invasiveness. Noninvasive techniques lack screening tests, making patient selection a matter of trial and error, and when there is success patients almost always need maintenance therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Randomized clinical trials to compare different techniques and evaluate placebo effects are urgently needed, as are further studies to elucidate modes of action to improve stimulation application and therapy results. The introduction of new stimulation methods may provide treatment alternatives as well as help answer more basic questions on electrical neurostimulation and neuromodulation.

Voiding dysfunction in children

The practicing urologist commonly sees children with lower-urinary tract dysfunction who wet or have recurrent urinary tract infections. This article identifies the proposed etiologies of such behavior in children in whom there are no anatomic or neuropathic causes, outlines the approach to evaluating affected children, and describes a stepwise,interdisciplinary approach to treatment.

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Neuromodulation is Well Tolerated in Children and Effective for Treating Refractory Vesical Dysfunction

PURPOSE

We evaluated pain tolerability and the preliminary results of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in children with unresponsive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 23 children 4 to 17 years old with LUTS refractory to conventional treatment underwent PTNS at 12, 30-minute weekly sessions. Ten patients had idiopathic overactive bladder, 7 were in nonneurogenic urinary retention and 6 had neuropathic bladder. Ten children were carefully evaluated for pain during needle insertion and electrical stimulation using certain scoring systems, namely the faces pain rating scale, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale, visual analogue scale and Questionario Italiano del Dolore. Evaluation was done at the first, sixth and last sessions. An anxiety-depression test was administered. All 23 children underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation before and after treatment.

RESULTS

All except 1 patient completed treatment. An anxious-depressive trait was found in 7 of 10 children/parents on anxiety-depression testing. Regarding pain, the faces pain rating scale never showed the severe pain face, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario scale showed signs of pain at the beginning of each stimulation but not at the end, and the visual analog scale generally showed a low score with a further decrease during the first (p = 0.05), sixth (p = 0.03) and twelfth (p = 0.02) sessions. The Questionario Italiano del Dolore score was significantly related to the affective component of pain (p = 0.002) and it decreased between the first and last sessions. The 10 children with overactive bladder had symptom improvement in 80%, incontinence was cured in 5 of 9 and urodynamics showed normalization of cystometric bladder capacity in 62.5% with no more unstable contractions in those who became continent. Symptoms improved in 71% of the children in urinary retention. One of 3 and 4 of 7 patients had incontinence and post-void residual urine cured, respectively. Urodynamics showed an improved detrusor pressure at maximum flow (p = 0.009) and flow rate (p = 0.005). Symptoms and urodynamics did not significantly change in the neuropathic bladder group.

CONCLUSIONS

PTNS is safe, minimally painful and feasible in children. It seems helpful for treating refractive nonneurogenic LUTS.

A review of non-invasive electro neuromodulation as an intervention for non-neurogenic bladder dysfunction in children

AIMS

The use of electrotherapeutics to improve filling and emptying dysfunction of the adult bladder has been well established, however the practice in children is less well known. The purpose of this review is to summarize the rationale behind the use of electro neuromodulation in children, examine the reported efficacy of the intervention for different presentations of dysfunction, and establish the current limitations to knowledge and practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A modified systematic review was carried out on all Medline studies identified as considering the use of electrotherapy or neuromodulation in children with bladder problems. Literature relating to use of this approach in adults was also searched in order to present current understanding of the treatment rationale and modes of application.

RESULTS

A Medline search and handsearch of relevant conference proceedings revealed six studies of neuromodulation in children with non-neurogenic bladder dysfunction. There were no reports of the intervention in children with isolated pelvic floor dyssynergia, irritative symptoms, structural changes predisposing the pelvic floor to weakness, or monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. One report of the favorable effect of neuromodulation on gut dysmotility was identified. Study design and quality generated level 4 evidence. Positive post-intervention changes reported included: increased bladder capacity, decreased severity of urge, improved continence, and decrease frequency of urinary tract infection. Significant improvement in the urodynamic parameters of bladder compliance, number of uninhibited contractions, and bladder volume at first detrusor contraction were also reported.

CONCLUSIONS

There are clear benefits from the use of electroneuromodulation in children with differing forms of voiding dysfunction. The treatment approach is independent of cognitive and pharmacological therapy, is minimally invasive, and free of side effects. To date, there are no clinical variables that reliably predict efficacy of electrotherapy in the various presentations of over and under active detrusor, sphincter dyssynergia, or irritative symptoms.

Conservative management in neurogenic bladder dysfunction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A few decades ago, urinary diversion, usually with an ileal conduit, was the ultimate outcome for most children with spina bifida. The revolutionary institution of clean intermittent catheterization has changed the algorithm totally. Furthermore many new drugs have been developed during the past decade and have decreased the need for surgery dramatically. In this article, we will focus on the most recent data on new modalities of therapy to help avoid urinary diversion or bladder augmentation.

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to clean intermittent catheterization and oxybutynin treatment, a new generation of anticholinergic medications, such as tolterodine, has been developed. For patients who drop out because of the side-effects of oral administration, new methods of administration are now available, including extended release and intravesical instillation. For those unresponsive, botulinum-A toxin and resiniferatoxin are two relatively new drugs in the field, administered as intravesical injection and instillation, respectively. Intravesical or transdermal electrical stimulation, sacral nerve stimulation and biofeedback therapy are under development, but as currently administered, are not yet completely successful.

SUMMARY

Although life-saving in many respects, bladder augmentation introduces life-long risks of its own. Our goal in describing 'conservative' management is to prevent this step. Many alternatives to surgery are available now and more effective strategies are under development.