Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and its impact on health-related quality of life in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial

Management of lower urinary tract symptoms in Parkinsonian disorders

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to present a narrative review of the literature on the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients presenting Parkinsonian disorders (PD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We carried out a literature search in PubMed and Embase database, without time restriction. We used keywords and free-text words around "Parkinsonian disorders" AND "lower urinary tracts symptoms" without language restriction. We focused mainly on papers less than 10 years old. We included all studies evaluating LUTS in patients with PD.

RESULTS

For the diagnostic management, authors emphasized the importance of differentiating Parkinson's disease with symptoms of bladder overactivity from multiple system atrophy with symptoms of bladder hypoactivity. Urodynamic evaluation was noted as the key element of diagnostic management. The therapeutic management proposed was symptomatic, based on functional urology techniques for the treatment of LUTS, both with drugs (especially anticholinergics) or surgery (intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin, neuromodulation). Moreover, it was pointed out that it is always necessary to take into account the existence of a possible associated uropathy (prostate adenoma or pelvic prolapse).

CONCLUSION

Urodynamic evaluation is the cornerstone of diagnostic management of LUTS in patients with PD. Therapeutic management is above all symptomatic and must be done in a collegial way involving the urologist, neurologist, gynecologist, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.

The Impact of Polypharmacy on Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms are a common presentation of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). Symptoms significantly impact quality of life and are associated with worsening of motor symptoms and increased risk for falls. Different medical co-morbidities can often contribute to LUT symptoms, and a thorough evaluation therefore becomes essential. The effects of medications used for Parkinson's disease and other co-existing medical co-morbidities on LUT symptoms is often underestimated. Treatment options include behavioural therapy, oral agents such as antimuscarinic and beta-3 receptor agonist agents, botulinum toxin and neuromodulation. The first-line oral agents cause adverse effects that may exacerbate pre-existing Parkinson's disease-related symptoms. Furthermore, these oral agents can interact with other medications used in Parkinson's disease, and the challenges posed by interactions on pharmacological effects and metabolism are discussed. Knowledge about drug interactions can help in effective management of such patients and mitigate the risks for developing adverse effects.

bTUNED: transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for refractory neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS

bTUNED (bladder and TranscUtaneous tibial Nerve stimulation for nEurogenic lower urinary tract Dysfunction) is an international multicentre, sham-controlled, double-blind RCT investigating the efficacy and safety of TTNS. The primary outcome is success of TTNS, defined as improvements in key bladder diary variables at study end compared to baseline values. The focus of the treatment is defined by the Self-Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are the effect of TTNS on urodynamic, neurophysiological, and bowel function outcome measures, as well as the safety of TTNS.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 240 patients with refractory NLUTD will be included and randomized 1:1 into the verum or sham TTNS group from March 2020 until August 2026. TTNS will be performed twice a week for 30 min during 6 weeks. The patients will attend baseline assessments, 12 treatment visits and follow-up assessments at the study end.

Development of a Sham Protocol to Investigate Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Randomised, Sham-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trials

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) is a promising treatment for neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms. However, the evidence is limited due to a general lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and, also, inconsistency in the sham and blinding conditions. In the context of much-needed RCTs, we aimed to develop a suitable sham-control protocol for a clinical setting to maintain blinding but avoid meaningful stimulation of the tibial nerve. Three potential electrode positions (lateral malleolus/5th metatarsal/plantar calcaneus) and two electrode sizes (diameter: 2.5 cm/3.2 cm) were tested to determine which combination provided the optimal sham configuration for a TTNS approach, based on a visible motor response. Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent sensory and motor assessments for each sham configuration. Eight out of them came back for an extra TTNS visit. Sensory thresholds were present for all sham configurations, with linear regression models revealing a significant effect regarding electrode position (highest at plantar calcaneus) but not size. In addition, motor thresholds varied with the position-lowest for the 5th metatarsal. Only using this position and 3.2 cm electrodes attained a 100% response rate. Compared to TTNS, sensory and motor thresholds were generally higher for the sham configurations; meanwhile, perceived pain was only higher at the lateral malleolus. In conclusion, using the 5th metatarsal position and 3.2 cm electrodes proved to be the most suitable sham configuration. Implemented as a four-electrode setup with standardized procedures, this appears to be a suitable RCT protocol for maintaining blinding and controlling for nonspecific TTNS effects in a clinical setting.

The effectiveness and safety of oral medications, onabotulinumtoxinA (three doses) and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation as non or minimally invasive treatment for the management of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Oral medications, onabotulinumtoxinA injections, and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) are recommended by the American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction guidelines as non or minimally invasive treatments for patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) without treatment hierarchy.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to compare and rank the effectiveness and safety of oral medications, three doses of onabotulinumtoxinA, and TTNS on improving urodynamic outcomes in patient-reported outcomes and safety outcomes in patients with NDO.

METHODS

The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Medicine, and clinicaltrials.gov, from their inception to October 2022 and included randomized controlled studies on the drug, onabotulinumtoxinA, and TTNS for the treatment of patients with NDO. Outcomes included urodynamic parameters, voiding diary, quality of life changes, adverse event rate and postvoid residual.

RESULTS

A total of 26 articles and 2938 patients were included in the statistics. Regarding effectiveness, all interventions except TTNS and α-blockers were statistically different for the placebo group. The urodynamic outcome and patient-reported outcome suggested that onabotulinumtoxinA injection (urodynamic outcome: onabotulinumtoxinA 200 U, the mean surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA): 87.4; patient-reported outcome: onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U, mean SUCRA: 89.8) was the most effective treatment, and the safety outcome suggested that TTNS (SUCRA: 83.3) was the safest. Cluster analysis found that antimuscarinics and β3-adrenoceptor-agonists possessed good effectiveness and safety.

CONCLUSION

OnabotulinumtoxinA injection is probably the most effective way to treat patients with NDO, with increasing effectiveness but decreasing safety as the dose rises. The effectiveness of α-blockers and TTNS was not statistically different from the placebo group. Antimuscarinics and β3-adrenoceptor-agonists have good effectiveness and safety.

Efficacy of peripheral electrical nerve stimulation on improvements of urodynamics and voiding diary in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Peripheral electrical nerve stimulation is a routinely recommended treatment for non-neurogenic overactive bladder but has not been approved for patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). This systematic review and meta-analysis was to elucidate the efficacy and safety of electrostimulation and thus provide firm evidence for treating NLUTD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We systematically performed the literature search through PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases in March 2022. The eligible studies were identified across the inclusion criteria and the data on urodynamic outcomes, voiding diary parameters, and safety was collected to quantitatively synthesize the pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were subsequently used to investigate the possible heterogeneity. This report was achieved in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies involving 464 subjects and 8 studies with 400 patients were included for systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The pooled effect estimates indicated that electrostimulation could significantly improve urodynamic outcomes, including maximum cystometric capacity (MD=55.72, 95% CI 15.73, 95.72), maximum flow rate (MD=4.71, 95% CI 1.78, 7.65), maximal detrusor pressure (MD=-10.59, 95% CI -11.45, -9.73), voided volume (MD=58.14, 95% CI 42.97, 73.31), and post-void residual (MD=-32.46, 95% CI -46.63, -18.29); for voiding diary parameters, patients undergoing electrostimulation showed lower MDs of incontinence episodes per 24 h (MD=-2.45, 95% CI -4.69, -0.20) and overactive bladder symptom score (MD=-4.46, 95% CI -6.00, -2.91). In addition to surface redness and swelling, no stimulation-related severe adverse events were reported else.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence demonstrated that peripheral electrical nerve stimulation might be effective and safe for managing NLUTD, whereas more reliable data from large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to strengthen this concept.

Efficacy of overactive neurogenic bladder treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence are frequently associated with known neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to review the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for neurogenic overactive bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for randomized controlled trials focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological medical treatments for overactive bladder symptoms associated with neurological diseases published up to 30 April 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 157 articles were retrieved; 94 were selected by title and abstract screening; after removal of 17 duplicates, 77 records were evaluated by full-text examination. Sixty-two studies were finally selected. The articles selected for review focused on the following interventions: anticholinergics (n = 9), mirabegron (n = 5), comparison of different drugs (n = 3), cannabinoids (n = 2), intravesical instillations (n = 3), botulinum toxin (n = 16), transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) (n = 6), acupuncture (n = 2), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS (n = 4), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) (n = 10), others (n = 2). Anticholinergics were more effective than placebo in decreasing the number of daily voids in patients with PD (mean difference [MD]- 1.16, 95 % CI - 1.80 to - 0.52, 2 trials, 86 patients, p < 0.004), but no significant difference from baseline was found for incontinence episodes and nocturia. Mirabegron was more effective than placebo in increasing the cystometric capacity in patients with MS (mean difference [MD] 89.89 mL, 95 % CI 29.76 to 150.01, 2 trials, 98 patients, p < 0.003) but no significant difference was observed for symptom scores and bladder diary parameters. TTNS was more effective than its sham-control in decreasing the number of nocturia episodes (MD -1.40, 95 % CI -2.39 to -0.42, 2 trials, 53 patients, p < 0.005) but no significant changes of OAB symptom scores were reported. PFMT was more effective than conservative advice in decreasing the ICIQ symptom score (MD, -1.12, 95 % CI -2.13 to -0.11, 2 trials, 91 patients, p = 0.03), although the number of incontinence episodes was not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the meta-analysis demonstrate a moderate efficacy of all considered treatments without proving the superiority of one therapy over the others. Combination treatment using different pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies could achieve the best clinical efficacy due to the favorable combination of the different mechanisms of action. This could be associated with fewer side effects due to drug dosage reduction. These data are only provisional and should be considered with caution, due to the few studies included in metaanalysis and to the small number of patients.

Stimulation of the Tibial nerve Repetitively to Improve Incontinence in Parkinson's Electronically (STRIPE trial): a randomised control trial of tibial nerve stimulation for bladder symptoms in Parkinson's disease using a self-contained wearable device

Background

Bladder symptoms are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting half of all individuals. These have significant impact on quality of life as well as implications for morbidity, contributing to falls and hospital admission. The treatment of bladder symptoms can be complicated by the tendency to side-effects in people with PD including cognitive impairment and gait instability with anti-muscarinics. The development of new, better treatments is therefore warranted. Tibial nerve stimulation is a form of neuromodulation demonstrated to improve overactive bladder symptoms in non-neurogenic cohorts. Previously requiring hospital attendance, we aim to explore the use of this intervention using a simple device that can be used by patients at home.

Methods

STRIPE is a phase II randomised control trial of tibial nerve stimulation delivered by the Geko™ device, a small, self-adhesive neuromuscular stimulation device currently used for thromboembolism prophylaxis post-surgery. Active tibial nerve stimulation will be compared to sham stimulation, with participants blinded to treatment allocation and undertaking outcome assessment whilst still blinded. Participants will be asked to self-administer stimulation at home twice per week, for 30 min per session, over the course of 3 months. Primary outcome measure will be the International Consultation on Incontinence Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB) at week 12. Secondary outcomes will include pre- and post-intervention bladder diary (frequency, urgency episodes, nocturia), patient perception of global change, bowel function and bladder-related quality of life. Participants will be recruited from the Proactive Integrated Management and Empowerment (PRIME) cross-sectional trial in which participants have been screened for bladder symptoms and invited to take part, as well as clinician referral from around the region.

Discussion

This trial will involve a randomised control trial of a novel and easy to use method of delivering tibial nerve stimulation for PD in the patient’s own home. This may potentially have huge benefit, avoiding the problems with side effects that can be seen with anti-muscarinics and providing a new potential modality of treatment.

Trial registration

ISRCTN11484954. Registered on 22 June 2021.

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder: Mechanism, Classification, and Management Outlines

Purpose of the Review. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) techniques have dramatically grown after approval to manage overactive bladder (OAB). The present review will focus on the most current data on PTNS types (percutaneous, transcutaneous, and implant) and their mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, advantages, drawbacks, limitation, and clinical applications. Recent Findings. The present review described the recent studies that addressed the tibial nerve stimulation role in OAB management. BlueWind RENOVA system, Bioness StimRouter, and eCoin are examples of emerging technologies that have evolved from interval sessions (percutaneous PTNS and transcutaneous PTNS) to continuous stimulation (implants). These can be efficiently managed at home by patients with minimum burden on the health system and fewer visits, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. Summary. Our review shows that the tibial nerve stimulation advancements in OAB treatment have been rapidly increasing over the recent years. It is minimally invasive and effective, similar to sacral nerve stimulation (SNM), but less aggressive. Implantable PTNS has been promised in terms of efficacy, safety, and high acceptance rate. However, evidence is still limited to short-term trials, and tolerability, method, and drawbacks remain challenges.

Effects of nonsurgical, minimally or noninvasive therapies for urinary incontinence due to neurogenic bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

To determine the effects of nonsurgical, minimally or noninvasive therapies on urge urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with neurogenic bladder (NGB).

Data Sources:

Cochrane library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PEDro, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to September 2021.

Review Methods:

Randomized controlled trials that compared therapies such as intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and behavioural therapy (BT) to control were included. Study screening, data extraction, and study quality assessments were performed by two independent authors.

Results:

Fourteen trials with 804 participants were included in the study after screening of 4281 potentially relevant articles. Meta-analyses revealed a significant effect of electrical stimulation on UUI due to multiple sclerosis (standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.614; 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.023, −0.206; p = 0.003) and stroke (SMD: −2.639; 95% CI: −3.804, −1.474; p = 0.000). The pooled analyses of TTNS (weighted mean difference (WMD): −12.406; 95% CI: −16.015, −8.797; p = 0.000) and BT (WMD: −9.117; 95% CI: −14.746, −3.487; p = 0.002) revealed significant effects of these interventions on QoL in people with Parkinson’s disease. However, meta-analyses revealed nonsignificant effects for PFMT (WMD: −0.751; 95% CI: −2.426, 0.924; p = 0.380) and BT (WMD: −0.597; 95% CI: −1.278, 0.083; p = 0.085) on UUI due to Parkinson’s disease.

Conclusions:

Our meta-analyses found electrical stimulation to be beneficial for improving the symptoms of UUI among people with multiple sclerosis and those with stroke. Our review also revealed that TTNS and BT might improve QoL for people with NGB due to Parkinson’s disease, although the effects of PFMT and BT on UUI warrant further investigation.

Neuromodulation for Storage Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Bladder symptoms are common in Parkinson disease (PD), affecting quality of life. Medications commonly used such as antimuscarinics can cause frequently intolerable side effects, and therefore, new, better tolerated approaches are needed. Neuromodulation techniques have an established role in urologic disorders; these techniques include tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM), which are localized therapies lacking the side effects associated with medication.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to undertake a systematic review of the literature reporting the use of neuromodulation techniques for the treatment of bladder symptoms in PD and related conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of data bases was conducted including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science. Studies were required to present specific outcomes for individuals with PD for neuromodulation interventions.

RESULTS

Ten primary studies were identified concerning detailed outcomes of neuromodulation on bladder symptoms in PD, including seven for TNS, one for SNM, and one using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Two further mixed cohort studies documented minimal data on individuals with PD. All studies demonstrated benefit in a range of outcome measures following neuromodulation. Two randomized sham-controlled studies were carried out using TNS, with one clearly demonstrating superiority over sham, although difficulties with achieving believable yet ineffective sham treatment are highlighted. Further studies reported limited, uncontrolled outcomes of SNM in patients with PD, demonstrating benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from case series suggests benefit from TNS in PD, with limited literature on SNM or TMS. Placebo effect from neuromodulation is a concern, and only limited controlled data exist. Future well-designed and sham-controlled studies need to be completed to provide definitive data on the benefit of neuromodulation in PD. Definitively proving the utility of a neuromodulation modality will allow better treatment of bladder symptoms without the need for pharmacologic measures that cause side effects.

Inhibitory effects of a smartphone-controlled wearable transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation device on bladder reflexes in anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVES

To explore the inhibitory effects of a novel, smartphone-controlled, and wearable tibial nerve stimulation device on nonnociceptive and nociceptive bladder reflexes in anesthetized cats and to compare the stimulus results of two current waveforms outputted by this new stimulator.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A novel, intelligent tibial nerve stimulator was put on the ankles of 14 cats and controlled by a mobile application. Cystometrograms (CMGs) were performed repeatedly by infusing 0.9% normal saline (NS) and 0.5% acetic acid (AA) through a urethral catheter. Inhibitory effects were explored by measuring the bladder capacity (BC) in two areas: (1) on nonnociceptive bladder reflex (infused with NS) and on nociceptive bladder reflex (filled with AA to induce overactive bladder [OAB] model); and (2) under the stimulation of two different current waveforms (waveforms A and B).

RESULTS

In Group 1, the BC of AA-induced OAB (41.48 ± 8.40%) was significantly different compared with the capacity of a NS-infused bladder (104.89 ± 1.32%, p < 0.05). Both NS-filled (151.35 ± 5.71%, p < 0.05) and AA-instilled (71.41 ± 9.34%, p < 0.05) bladder volumes significantly increased after tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). In Group 2, the BC increased to 166.18 ± 15.17% (p = 0.026) and 127.64 ± 13.00% (p = 0.239), respectively, after TNS with waveforms A and B current.

CONCLUSIONS

Results revealed that this novel, smartphone-based, wearable, and wireless tibial nerve stimulation system could inhibit the micturition reflex on physiological condition, serving as a potential option for OAB treatment. In addition, the waveforms of stimulation current had an important influence on the effects of TNS.

Transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation for overactive bladder in women with Parkinson's disease: A randomized clinical trial

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation for overactive bladder (OAB) in women with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

The current study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Home intervention was carried out and assessments were conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Brazil. Women with PD and OAB symptoms were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) stimulation and (2) sham. Both groups underwent intervention at home for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks (end of intervention), 30- and 90-day follow-up. The primary outcome was the mean reduction in the number of urgency incontinence episodes, and secondary outcomes included daytime and nighttime urinary frequency, urinary urgency episodes, use of pad (reported in a 24-h bladder diary), OAB-V8 and King's Health Questionnaire scores, and maintenance of symptom relief after discontinuation of the intervention.

RESULTS

In total, 30 consecutive patients completed the study (15/group). The stimulation group showed a reduction in nighttime urinary frequency (0.9 ± 0.6), urinary urgency (1.0 ± 1.2), urgency incontinence episodes (0.5 ± 0.6), use of pads (1.3 ± 1.2), and OAB-V8 (1.3 ± 1.2) and King's Health Questionnaire scores. In a 30-day and 90-day follow-up, 8 (53.3%) and 5 (33.3%) stimulation patients, respectively, reported full maintenance of symptom relief after discontinuation of the intervention. Stimulation patients presented a statistically significant improvement of symptoms as compared with sham patients (p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation can be used in clinical practice as an effective nonpharmacological resource for the reduction of OAB symptoms in women with PD, and the resulting relief seems to persist in the follow-up (30 and 90 days).

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for the treatment of bladder storage symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis: Protocol of a single-arm feasibility study

Background: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a pooled prevalence of 68.41% using self-report measures and 63.95% using urodynamic studies. Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) is a non-invasive option to manage bladder storage symptoms; however, the potential efficacy of TTNS among people with MS is based on a small number of studies with the absence of high-quality evidence relating to efficacy, and lack of clarity of the optimal electrical stimulation parameters and frequency, duration and number of treatment sessions. This study aims to assess whether TTNS is feasible and acceptable as a treatment for bladder storage symptoms in people with MS. Methods: We will use a single-arm experimental study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of TTNS in the treatment of bladder storage symptoms in MS. The CONSORT extension for pilot and feasibility studies will be followed to standardise the conduct and reporting of the study. The recruitment plan is twofold: 1) Open recruitment for people with MS through MS Ireland's communication channels; 2) recruitment from a convenience sample of people with MS who have previously participated in a qualitative interview study of urinary symptoms. We will assess recruitment/retention rates, the urinary symptoms changes and the effect on quality of life pre and post intervention using ICIQ-OAB, 3-day bladder diary, King's Health Questionnaire and collect self-reported data on adherence and adverse events. Acceptability of using TTNS will be evaluated at the end of intervention. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Education and Health Science's Faculty Research Ethics Committee, University of Limerick [2020_06_07_EHS].  Conclusion: It is anticipated that assessing the feasibility and acceptability of TTNS for storage bladder symptoms in MS will inform the development of a definitive randomised trial. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04528784 27/08/2020.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in common neurological diseases

The lower urinary tract has the main function of urine storage and voiding. The integrity of the lower urinary tract nerve supply is necessary for its proper function. Neurological disorders can lead to lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Common causes of neurogenic LUTS or LUTD include spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular accidents, cauda equina syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and multiple system atrophy. The pathophysiology is categorized according to the nature of the onset of neurological disease. Assessment requires clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, imaging, and urodynamic studies. Impaired voiding is most often managed by clean intermittent self-catheterization if the postvoid residual urine exceeds 100 ml, whereas storage symptoms are most often managed by antimuscarinic medications. Intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin type A is emerging as an effective treatment for managing refractory neurogenic detrusor overactivity. This review provides an overview of the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of LUTD in patients with central and peripheral common neurological diseases.

Nocturia and Nocturnal Polyuria in Neurological Patients: From Epidemiology to Treatment. A Systematic Review of the Literature

CONTEXT

Nocturia is among the most common and bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), but there is no clear consensus on how to identify and manage this symptom in the neurological population.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature about nocturia in neurological patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Studies were identified by electronic search of Cochrane and Medline databases. The studies were included if their participants had acquired neurological pathology among multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and reported data on the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, or treatment of nocturia. An independent extraction of the articles was performed by two authors using predetermined datasets, including quality-of-study indicators.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 132 studies were included; 46 evaluated the epidemiology of nocturia, 28 the possible aetiologies, 10 the diagnostic tools, and 60 the treatments. Nocturia prevalence ranged from 15% to 96% depending on the pathology and definition used. It was one of the most frequently reported LUTS in PD and stroke patients. Several validated questionnaires were found to screen for nocturia in this population. Causalities were numerous: LUT, renal, sleep, cardiovascular dysfunctions, etc. Treatments targeted these mechanisms, with an overall risk of bias assessed as high or serious. The highest level of evidence was seen in MS patients: pelvic floor muscle training, cannabinoids, and desmopressin were effective, but not melatonin. In stroke patients, transcutaneous sacral and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) improved nocturia; in PD patients, TTNS, solifenacin, and rotigotine did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturia is highly prevalent in patients with neurological disorders. Causalities and treatments are not different from the general population, but are poorly studied in neurological patients.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this report, we looked at the published studies about nocturia-the fact of waking to void during the hours of sleep-in patients with neurological diseases. We found that nocturia is very frequent in this population, that the causes are the same as in the general population but may be combined, and that treatments are also the same but have an overall weak level of evidence. We conclude that more research is needed on this topic.

Stimulation of the tibial nerve: a protocol for a multicentred randomised controlled trial for urinary problems associated with Parkinson's disease-STARTUP

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease is the second most common chronic neurodegenerative condition with bladder dysfunction affecting up to 71%. Symptoms affect quality of life and include urgency, frequency, hesitancy, nocturia and incontinence. Addressing urinary dysfunction is one of the top 10 priority research areas identified by the James Lind Alliance and Parkinson's UK.

OBJECTIVES

Conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) targeting people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) who have self-reported problematic lower urinary tract symptoms, investigating the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) compared with sham TTNS. Implement a standardised training approach and package for the correct application of TTNS. Conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of TTNS compared with sham TTNS.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An RCT of 6 weeks with twice weekly TTNS or sham TTNS. Participants will be recruited in 12 National Health Service neurology/movement disorder services, using a web-based randomisation system, and will be shown how to apply TTNS or sham TTNS. Participants will receive a weekly telephone call from the researchers during the intervention period. The trial has two coprimary outcome measures: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and the International Prostate Symptom Score. Secondary outcomes include a 3-day bladder diary, quality of life, acceptability and fidelity and health economic evaluation. Outcomes will be measured at 0, 6 and 12 weeks.A sample size of 208 randomised in equal numbers to the two arms will provide 90% power to detect a clinically important difference of 2.52 points on the Internatioanl Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and of 3 points in the International Prostate Symptom Score total score at 12 weeks at 5% significance level, based on an SD of 4.7 in each arm and 20% attrition at 6 weeks. Analysis will be by intention to treat and pre defined in a statistical analysis plan ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: East of Scotland Research Ethics Service (EoSRES), 18/ES00042, obtained on 10 May 2018. The trial will allow us to determine effectiveness, safety, cost and acceptability of TTNS for bladder dysfunction in PWP. Results will be published in open access journals; lay reports will be posted to all participants and presented at conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN12437878; Pre-results.

ELECtric Tibial nerve stimulation to Reduce Incontinence in Care homes: protocol for the ELECTRIC randomised trial

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent in nursing and residential care homes (CHs) and profoundly impacts on residents' dignity and quality of life. CHs predominantly use absorbent pads to contain UI rather than actively treat the condition. Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) is a non-invasive, safe and low-cost intervention with demonstrated effectiveness for reducing UI in adults. However, the effectiveness of TPTNS to treat UI in older adults living in CHs is not known. The ELECTRIC trial aims to establish if a programme of TPTNS is a clinically effective treatment for UI in CH residents and investigate the associated costs and consequences.

METHODS

This is a pragmatic, multicentre, placebo-controlled, randomised parallel-group trial comparing the effectiveness of TPTNS (target n = 250) with sham stimulation (target n = 250) in reducing volume of UI in CH residents. CH residents (men and women) with self- or staff-reported UI of more than once per week are eligible to take part, including those with cognitive impairment. Outcomes will be measured at 6, 12 and 18 weeks post randomisation using the following measures: 24-h Pad Weight Tests, post void residual urine (bladder scans), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition, Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire and Dementia Quality of Life. Economic evaluation based on a bespoke Resource Use Questionnaire will assess the costs of providing a programme of TPTNS. A concurrent process evaluation will investigate fidelity to the intervention and influencing factors, and qualitative interviews will explore the experiences of TPTNS from the perspective of CH residents, family members, CH staff and managers.

DISCUSSION

TPTNS is a non-invasive intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing UI in adults. The ELECTRIC trial will involve CH staff delivering TPTNS to residents and establish whether TPTNS is more effective than sham stimulation for reducing the volume of UI in CH residents. Should TPTNS be shown to be an effective and acceptable treatment for UI in older adults in CHs, it will provide a safe, low-cost and dignified alternative to the current standard approach of containment and medication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03248362. Registered on 14 August 2017. ISRCTN, ISRCTN98415244. Registered on 25 April 2018. https://www.isrctn.com/.

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation to treat patients with premature ejaculation: phase II clinical trial

A phase II single-arm trial was conducted from June 2017 to October 2018 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) for premature ejaculation (PE) treatment. Twelve men with PE and no prior treatment were enrolled, one was withdrawn and 11 subjects provided data for the main outcome. TPTNS consisted of 30-min sessions of the application of 20 Hz with a pulse amplitude of 200 µsec. The intensity was adjusted based on individual sensibility. The participants received 3 weekly sessions for 12 consecutive weeks. Follow-up continued for 9 months after therapy completion. The main outcome was a threefold increase in the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) at week 12. Eleven patients completed therapy, and 54.5% (p = 0.037) showed tripled baseline IELT scores at week 12. The IELT increased 4.8-fold, 6.8-fold, and 5.4-fold at weeks 12, 24, and 48, respectively. One episode of constipation was reported, and one patient reported a sensation of heat in the leg during one therapy session. The findings suggest that TPTNS therapy delays ejaculation in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation, with no serious secondary effects. Controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to verify these results.

Role of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse in Continence Care: 2018 Update

The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society believes the tri-specialty certified nurse (Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse [CWOCN]) or advanced practice tri-specialty certified nurse (Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse-Advanced Practice [CWOCN-AP]) possesses unique knowledge, expertise for assessment, and first-line management of incontinence as well as for prevention of incontinence. The CWOCN or CWOCN-AP provides care and consultation in the treatment of potential and actual skin complications through absorption, and containment, in persons with urinary, fecal, or dual incontinence. This executive summary describes the role of the CWOCN or CWOCN-AP in the delivery of continence care across care settings. The original statement is available at https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.wocn.org/resource/collection/6D79B935-1AA0-4791-886F-E361D29F152D/Role_of_Continence_Nurse__2018_.pdf.

[Results and compliance of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on overactive bladder syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease. Retrospective Study.]

PURPOSE

To investigate efficiency and tolerance of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) in the overactive bladder syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to identify predictive factors for compliance.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective monocentric study with a cohort of 17 patients with PD who have used TNS for an overactive bladder syndrome. The efficiency of the treatment was evaluated on the clinical improvement felt (rated out of ten). Patients were classified as « adopters » if they continued using TNS for at least one year after beginning the treatment or as « non adopters » if they stopped. Patients characteristics were evaluated for their predictive value for compliance with TNS.

RESULTS

Out of 17 patients, there were 9 women and 8 men, median age 66 years (55-77), median history for Parkinson's disease 8 years (1-22) and for urinary symptoms 3 years (1-10). Subjective efficiency was seen in 10 patients (59%), on nocturia and/or urinary incontinence for 9 patients (mean efficiency 5.75/10 and median efficiency 6.5/10). Three patients found TNS not effective, and four patients didn't use it long enough to evaluate. Two patients had side effects and stopped the TNS (feeling of electricity and restless leg syndrome). 7 patients were classified as « adopters » and 10 patients as « non adopters » after one year. Most evaluated characteristics proved not to be of predictive value for compliance with TNS except nocturia and pollakiuria (P=0.03 and P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study seems to reveal TNS is particularly effective on nocturia and urge. Moreover, nocturia and pollakiuria appear to be predictive factors for SNT compliance. Nocturia could be a prominent symptom in SNT's prescription. But studies with more patients should be conducted for obtain better patient selection in TNS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Update on treatments for nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease-an evidence-based medicine review

OBJECTIVE

To update evidence-based medicine recommendations for treating nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD).

BACKGROUND

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Evidence-Based Medicine Committee's recommendations for treatments of PD were first published in 2002, updated in 2011, and now updated again through December 31, 2016.

METHODS

Level I studies testing pharmacological, surgical, or nonpharmacological interventions for the treatment of nonmotor symptoms in PD were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion and quality scoring were as previously reported. The disorders covered were a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, autonomic dysfunction, disorders of sleep and wakefulness, pain, fatigue, impaired olfaction, and ophthalmologic dysfunction. Clinical efficacy, implications for clinical practice, and safety conclusions are reported.

RESULTS

A total of 37 new studies qualified for review. There were no randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria for the treatment of anxiety disorders, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, excessive sweating, impaired olfaction, or ophthalmologic dysfunction. We identified clinically useful or possibly useful interventions for the treatment of depression, apathy, impulse control and related disorders, dementia, psychosis, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, drooling, orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and pain. There were no clinically useful interventions identified to treat non-dementia-level cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence base for treating a range of nonmotor symptoms in PD has grown substantially in recent years. However, treatment options overall remain limited given the high prevalence and adverse impact of these disorders, so the development and testing of new treatments for nonmotor symptoms in PD remains a top priority. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Management of neurogenic bladder in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review

AIMS

To assess the different treatment methods in management of neurogenic bladder (NGB) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Cochrane library, EMBASE, Proquest, Clinicaltrial.gov, WHO, Google Scholar, MEDLINE via PubMed, Ovid, ongoing trials registers, and conference proceedings in November 11, 2017. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing any treatment method for management of NGB in patients with PD were included. The titles and abstracts of all identified studies were evaluated independently by two investigators. Once all of the potential related articles were retrieved, each author separately evaluated the full text of each article and the quality of the methodology of the selected studies using the Cochrane appraisal risk of bias checklist and then the data about the patient's outcomes was extracted. We registered the title in Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) that is available in http://joannabriggs.org/research/registered_titles.aspx.

RESULTS

We included 41 RCTs or quasi-RCTs or three observational study with a total of 1063 patients that evaluated pharmacological, neurosurgical, botulinum toxin, electrical neuromodulation, and behavioral therapy effects on NGB. Among the included studies only solifenacin succinate double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was assessed as low risk of bias, and treatment led to an improvement in urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several interventions are available for treatment NGB in patients with PD, at present there is little or no evidence that treatment improves patient outcomes in this population. Additional large, well designed, randomized studies with improved methodology and reporting focused on patient-centered outcomes are needed.

Electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in individuals with overactive bladder: a literature review

[Purpose] This study aims to gather scientific evidence to identify whether clinical trials on Electrostimulation of the Posterior Tibial Nerve (ESPTN) in individuals with overactive bladder present an adequate methodological standard according to the PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) criteria. [Methods] Integral literature review, including randomized controlled clinical trials found in PEDro. [Results] We found 16 articles, of which only one did not meet the inclusion criteria. This article has shown that ESPTN is a conservative tool of physiotherapy that is less invasive than other therapies, is well tolerated by patients and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of overactive bladder. However, few standardized clinical studies have been conducted, and only 26.6% of the articles included in this review obtained a score of more than five items on the PEDro scale. [Conclusion] This article has shown that ESPTN is a conservative tool of physiotherapy that is less invasive than other therapies, is well tolerated by patients and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of overactive bladder. Thus, there is a need for more clinical articles that follow the quality criteria for randomized clinical trials, allowing more reliable scientific results.

Acupuncture for management of lower urinary tract symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A protocol for the systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture is claimed to improve the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Currently, no systematic reviews are performed for acupuncture on LUTS in patients with Parkinson's diseases (PD). This review aims to evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for the management of LUTS in PD.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

Eleven databases will be searched from their inception. These include PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, 6 Korean medical databases, and 1 Chinese medical database. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment will be performed independently by 2 researchers. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval will not be required, given that this protocol is for a systematic review. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated both electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide healthcare practice and policy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018083857.

Prevalence and treatment of LUTS in patients with Parkinson disease or multiple system atrophy

The lower urinary tract is controlled by complex neural mechanisms not only in the periphery, but also in the central nervous systems (CNS). Thus, patients with a wide variety of neurological diseases often also have lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including those with Parkinson disease (PD) or multiple system atrophy (MSA). LUTS are common comorbidities associated with both of these neurodegenerative diseases and are likely to impair patients' quality of life. The motor symptoms of PD and MSA often seem similar; however, the pathophysiology, and thus the treatment of LUTS differs considerably. Antimuscarinics are the first-line treatment of storage LUTS in patients with PD or MSA; however, care should be taken in the management of these patients, especially in those with MSA owing to the high risk of inefficient voiding, and thus an increased post-void residual volume. Other treatments of PD-related LUTS include α-adrenoceptor antagonists, which improve voiding dysfunction, transurethral resection of the prostate for bladder outlet obstruction owing to prostate enlargement, and neuromodulation and intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections for storage LUTS. However, more conservative treatments, including intermittent catheterization, are required for LUTS in patients with MSA, owing to the high incidence of impaired detrusor contractility and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

Treatment Options for Urogenital Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease

Urogenital dysfunction is commonly reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and history taking and a bladder diary form the cornerstone of evaluation. The assessment of lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms include urinalysis, ultrasonography, and urodynamic studies and help to evaluate concomitant urological pathologies such as benign prostate enlargement. Antimuscarinic medications are the first line treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and solifenacin has been specifically studied in PD. Antimuscarininc drugs may exacerbate PD-related constipation and xerostomia, and caution is advised when using these medications in individuals where cognitive impairment is suspected. Desmopressin is effective for the management of nocturnal polyuria which has been reported to be common in PD. Intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin have been shown to be effective for detrusor overactivity, however, are associated with the risk of urinary retention. Neuromodulation is a promising, minimally invasive treatment for PD-related OAB symptoms. Erectile dysfunction is commonly reported and first line treatments include phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. A patient-tailored approach is required for the optimal management of urogenital dysfunction in PD.

New clinical trials for nonmotor manifestations of Parkinson's disease

Nonmotor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) encompass a range of clinical features, including neuropsychiatric problems, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders, fatigue, and pain. Despite their importance for patients' quality of life, the evidence base for their treatment is relatively sparse. Nevertheless, the last few years have seen a number of new trials starting that specifically address nonmotor features as an outcome measure in clinical trials. Large randomized, controlled trials in the last 3 years reported improvement of psychosis with the new selective serotonin 5-HT2A inverse agonist pimavanserin and of postural hypotension with the oral norepinephrine precursor droxidopa. Smaller new randomized, controlled trials support the effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation and opiates for pain, of rivastigmine for apathy and piribedil for apathy post-DBS, group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and/or anxiety, continuous positive airway pressure for sleep apnea in PD and doxepin for insomnia, and of solifenacin succinate and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for urinary symptoms. A number of new smaller or open trials as well as post-hoc analyses of randomized, controlled trials have suggested usefulness of other treatments, and new randomized, controlled trials are currently ongoing.

New and emerging medical therapies in Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders to treat as it manifests with a large variety of troublesome, and often disabling, motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite limitations, such as motor and other complications, levodopa remains the most effective drug in the treatment of PD.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we focus on phase 2 and 3 studies describing new and emerging medical therapies in PD. We discuss new formulations of levodopa, medications that prolong levodopa response and ameliorate levodopa-induced dyskinesias, and innovative delivery methods that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials or are in development with the promise of better efficacy and tolerability. We also describe novel non-dopaminergic drugs that have been identified for treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms. A specific section is designated for potential disease modifying therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

Alternative formulations of levodopa appear to be promising especially to help with the motor fluctuations either by providing sustained benefits with controlled released formulations or ameliorate sudden OFF by formulations such as inhaled levodopa. Several different medications affecting non-dopaminergic pathways are being evaluated which may aide levodopa. As the understanding of the disease grows further, numerous novel neuroprotective or disease modifying therapies have been suggested. This along with development of medications to treat various non-motor symptoms will help improve quality of life of patients with PD.

The Clinical and Urodynamic Results of Percutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation on Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) treatment after 12 weeks on urodynamic and clinical findings in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

METHODS

A total of 47 patients with PD with neurogenic detrusor overactivity were enrolled in the study. Urodynamic studies before and after 12-week PTNS treatment were performed. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8), and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF) have been assessed before and after PTNS treatment.

RESULTS

The mean first involuntary detrusor contraction volume (1st IDCV) on standard cystometry was 133.2 ± 48.1 (24-265) mL, whereas it was 237.3 ± 43.1 (145-390) mL after PTNS. The mean maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) on standard cystometry was 202.2 ± 36.5 (115-320) mL, whereas it was 292.1 ± 50.6 (195-395) mL after stimulation. The improvements in the first involuntary detrusor contraction volume and maximum cystometric capacity were statistically significant after stimulation. The mean Pdetmax at first involuntary detrusor contraction, maximal detrusor pressure at maximum cystometric capacity, PdetQmax, Qmax, and post-void residual volume were statistically significant after 12-week stimulation. Mean parametric improvements at 12-week PTNS treatment from baseline included daytime frequency decreased by 5.6 voids daily, urge incontinence decreased by 3.1 episodes daily, urgency episodes decreased by 6.3 episodes daily, nocturia decreased by 2.7 voids, and voided volume improved by a mean of 92.6 mL. The change from baseline on the ICIQ-SF, OABv8, and OAB-q at 12-week PTNS treatment demonstrated statistically significant improvements.

CONCLUSION

These results have demonstrated that PTNS improves the lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic parameters in patients with PD.