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Published on: August 9, 2012
Lower abdominal pressure versus external bladder stimulation to aid bladder emptying in multiple sclerosis: a
R S Prasad1, S J Smith, H Wright
1Neurorehabilitation Unit, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Objective:
To investigate the change in post-void residual bladder volumes (PVR) with 'abdominal vibration' using a percutaneous bladder stimulator in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared with either 'no treatment' or 'abdominal pressure'.
Design:
Randomized controlled cross-over study.
Setting:
Regional neurorehabilitation clinics.
Subjects:
Twenty-eight MS patients with urinary symptoms and PVR > 100 ml. Twelve patients had urinary incontinence.
Methods:
MS patients with voiding dysfunction and elevated PVR of 100-500 ml on BVI-3000 Ultrasound Scanner were randomized to either 'abdominal pressure' or 'vibration' by a portable, percutaneous, vibrating device (Queen Square Bladder Stimulator; Malem Medical) or to 'no treatment'. PVR was assessed at the end of each two-week phase.
Outcome Measure:
PVR reduction by greater than 100 ml.
Results:
The 28 patients ranged in age from 29 to 71 years with a mean age of 49 years and a mean duration of MS of 12 years (range 1-37 years). The PVR decreased from 231 (SD 119) ml during no treatment to 191 (SD 132) ml with abdominal pressure (p = 0.242). Using suprapubic vibration the PVR reduced further to 126 (SD 121) ml, which was highly significant (p = 0.002) compared with no treatment. The difference between abdominal pressure and vibration just failed to reach significance (p = 0.059). There was no significant reduction in either the frequency of micturition or episodes of incontinence. The device was well-tolerated by patients.
Conclusion:
Abdominal vibration is an effective method of reducing PVR in MS patients and appears more effective than abdominal pressure alone.
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