Effectiveness of EMS and TENS in Patients With Overactive Bladder

A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effectiveness of Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Patients With Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a well-recognized set of symptoms which patient experience during the storage phase of the micturition cycle. It is characterized by urgency (a sudden compelling desire to pass urine which is difficult to defer) which, in almost all patients, is accompanied by increased frequency and nocturia and, particularly in female patients, by urgency incontinence.

Leaking urine is called "incontinence". Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is another common bladder problem. It's different from OAB. People with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or doing other physical activities. If you have an overactive bladder, you may feel embarrassed, isolate yourself, or limit your work and social life.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a very common clinical condition, with an overall prevalence estimated at 11.5% in the general population of Pakistan.

In traditional medicine and recent years, nerve stimulation has been introduced as a replacement therapy for managing several disorders such as overactive bladder. However, there is still controversy in this regard. Therefore, the present study is aimed to find out the effectiveness of Electric Muscle Stimulation and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in treatment of overactive bladder.To overcome this controversy we need to do this study in Pakistan and find out whether there is any role of EMS and TENS in the management of OAB.

OAB is one of the important conditions that lead to the limitation in activity and participation due to dribbling, urgency and frequency of urination. According to literature review there is a strong linkage between OAB rehabilitation and improvement of patient symptoms. The Neuromodulation plays a significant role in the management of OAB. The proper task specific rehabilitation not only improves the functional status of a person rather it enhances the quality of life and their active role in community. In routine rehabilitation main focus is always on the role of pelvic floor exercises but Neuromodulation is still neglected in treatment regimen of OAB in Pakistan. The patients will profit in better help of manifestations if Neuromodulation intervention is applied that is upheld by proof for the treatment of OAB. The consequences of the investigation will be useful for the Physical Therapists in planning and picking best treatment approach for the treatment of OAB.

TENS is based on the gate control theory of abolishing the local micturition reflex arc. It is a non-pharmacological method of inhibiting the presynaptic afferent neurons carrying impulses from bladder by stimulating the nerves of peripheral segmental dermatome (gate control theory of electro modulation by stimulating the peripheral nerves corresponding to the visceral organ). It acts at the level of primitive voiding reflex coordinating the bladder, sphincter and the pelvic floor. Detrusor hyperreflexia can be inhibited by direct inhibition of impulses in the preganglionic afferent neuron or by inhibition of bladder preganglionic neurons of the efferent limb of micturition reflex.

EMS is also believed to produce some inhibition of the bladder, allowing the bladder to reach a greater volume. This is believed to occur because electrical stimulation also stimulates nerves in the pelvic floor. In most people, bladder voiding is inhibited when the skin of the pelvis is touched or otherwise manipulated. This inhibition is via a reflex in the spinal cord that may have evolved to inhibit voiding during sexual contact. The pelvic floor nerves are responsible for transmitting the sensation of touch from the pelvis to the spinal cord. Electrical stimulation of these nerves thus activates sensory fibers that cause inhibition of bladder voiding via a reflex mechanism in the spinal cord. This may explain EMS is an effective treatment for people with incontinence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both Male and Female patients ≥35years to 60 years with OAB symptoms of urgency, frequency, nocturia and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI).8
• Those who have symptoms of urinary frequency and urgency lasting more than 3 months.
• Those who have an average urinary frequency of more than eight times per day and urgency defined by the urgency rating scale (URS) on the bladder diary of more than 2 points. 9

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection by urine examination.
• Stress urinary incontinence without symptoms of OAB.
• History of cystocele, uterine prolapse or similar condition.
• History of obstructive uropathy such as urinary stones and urinary tumors.
• Prostate
• Malignancy