Multiple Sclerosis, Overactive Bladder
Conditions
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, tibial nerve stimulation
Brief summary
Tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) has been recognised as a safe and effective treatment for the management of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, acceptability and pilot efficacy of transcutaneous TNS using a novel device.
Detailed description
In this single centre pilot study, 48 patients with OAB (24 with neurogenic and 24 with idiopathic OAB) were randomized to use a self-applicating ambulatory skin-adhering device to transcutaneously stimulate the tibial nerve for 30 minutes, either once daily or once weekly, for 12-weeks. Changes in lower urinary tract (LUT) OAB symptoms and QoL were measured at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and 12 using standardized validated scoring instruments (ICIQ-OAB and ICIQ-LUTSqol) and a Global Response Assessment (GRA) at week 12. Weekly phone calls and a usage diary captured patient-reported experiences with the device and compliance. The primary study outcomes were to assess safety and acceptability of the device. In addition, treatment response was assessed using the Global Response Assessment (GRA) at week-12, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder and LUTS-quality of life (ICIQ-OAB and ICIQ-LUTSqol) at baseline, week 4, 8 and 12. In the GRA patients were asked to assess their response to treatment using an ordinal scale of 0 to 3, referring to none, mild, moderate or marked improvement, respectively 1. Patients reporting moderate or marked improvement were considered to have responded to treatment 1. The ICIQ-OAB score is a 4-item questionnaire that assesses OAB symptom severity and bother whereas the ICIQ-LUTSqol score is a 20-item health related quality of life questionnaire. In both questionnaires, part A assesses symptom severity and part B reflects the accumulative bother to the patient. High scores suggests worse symptom profiles and negative impact on QoL, respectively. Patients recorded use of the device in a customized compliance diary which also included entries for their experiences in using the device and any adverse effects. Additionally, weekly phone calls were made by a member of the research team to assess compliance. Statistical analysis A feasibility sample size of 48 patients was adopted and no formal power calculation was performed as is the convention for pilot studies. All data were presented as means with SDs. Paired student t-tests were used to provide an estimate of within group responses between baseline and 12 weeks.
Interventions
DEVICEThe Geko
transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (stick on patch)
Sponsors
University College, London
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patient eligibility was based on meeting the criteria for an overactive bladder, defined by the International Continence Society with an average urinary frequency ≥ 8 voids per and ≥ 1 urgency episode (with or without incontinence) per 24 hours
Exclusion criteria
*
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants reporting adverse events as recorded using a customised diary | 12 weeks | Adverse events are recorded by patients using a compliance diary |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement in overactive bladder symptoms as evaluated using a Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale | 12 weeks | The Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale assesses the response to treatment using an ordinal scale of 0 to 3, referring to none, mild, moderate or marked improvement, respectively |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed