Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Urodynamic outcome of parasacral transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation for overactive bladder in children
Ubirajara Barroso1, Marcelo Tomás Carvalho1, Maria Luisa Veiga1
1CEDIMI (Centro de Distúrbios da Micção em crianças), Departamento de Urologia da Divisão de Urologia Pediátrica, Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Universidade Federal da Bahia Salvador, Bahia.
Insights
Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) did not acutely improve urodynamic parameters in children with overactive bladder. However, after seven weeks of TENS treatment, bladder capacity significantly improved in most patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Neurology
- Urodynamics
Background:
- Idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in children.
- Urodynamic evaluation is crucial for diagnosing and managing OAB.
- Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a potential treatment modality for OAB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acute effects of parasacral TENS on urodynamic parameters in children with idiopathic OAB.
- To evaluate the long-term effects of parasacral TENS on urodynamic parameters after a 7-week treatment course.
Main Methods:
- Urodynamic studies were performed before and immediately after the first TENS session.
- Repeat urodynamic studies were conducted after the final TENS session (7 weeks later).
- Included were children with idiopathic isolated OAB, excluding those with dysfunctional voiding.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in urodynamic parameters were observed immediately after the first TENS session.
- After 7 weeks of TENS, bladder capacity improved in 58% of patients with initially low bladder capacity.
- Detrusor overactivity decreased, but the reduction in inhibited contractions and detrusor pressure was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Parasacral TENS does not produce immediate urodynamic changes in children with idiopathic OAB.
- Long-term TENS treatment can improve bladder capacity in children with OAB.
- Further research may be needed to optimize TENS parameters for maximal efficacy.
Objective:
To evaluate the urodynamic changes immediately after the first session (acute effect) and after the last session of parasacral TENS in children with idiopathic OAB.
Materials And Methods:
We performed urodynamic evaluation immediately before and after the first session of parasacral TENS and immediately after the last session (7 weeks later). Only children with idiopathic isolated OAB were included. Patients with dysfunctional voiding were not included.
Results:
18 children (4 boys and 14 girls, mean age of 8.7) were included in the first analysis (urodynamic study before and immediately after the first session) and 12 agreed to undergo the third urodynamic study. Urodynamic before and immediately after the first session: There was no change in the urodynamic parameters, namely low MCC, low bladder compliance, presence of IDC, the average number of IDC, or in the maximum detrusor pressure after the first exam. Urodynamic after the last session: The bladder capacity improved in most patients with low capacity (58% vs. 8%). Detrusor overactivity was observed in 11 (92%) before treatment and 8 (76%) after. There was not a significant reduction in the average number of inhibited contractions after TENS (p=0.560) or in the detrusor pressure during the inhibited contraction (p=0.205).
Conclusion:
There was no change in the urodynamic parameters immediately after the first session of stimulation. After the last session, the only urodynamic finding that showed improvement was bladder capacity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
01:26The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating...