Overactive bladder: magnetic versus electrical stimulation

To review recent literature on the electrical and magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots and pelvic floor for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is a common condition affecting millions of women worldwide, with a significant effect on quality of life. Electrical stimulation and neuromodulation of the sacral nerve roots have provided a useful alternative for these patients with satisfactory outcomes. The use of the procedures has been limited, however, mainly due to local discomfort/pain or invasiveness of the surgical procedure. Magnetic stimulation can activate deep neural structures by induced electric currents noninvasively. Recent investigations demonstrated that magnetic stimulation of the sacral roots suppressed detrusor overactivity more effectively compared with electrical stimulation. Clinical trials including randomized placebo-controlled studies demonstrated the excellent short-term effect of magnetic stimulation in the treatment of overactive bladder.

Magnetic stimulation appears to induce inhibitory effects on detrusor overactivity in a similar manner to electrical stimulation, with significant clinical advantages. Although further studies are needed to establish long-term efficacy, magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots may be a promising alternative treatment for overactive bladder.