The effect of cortical versus sacral repetitive magnetic stimulation on lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients...

75% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have lower urinary tract symptoms. Moreover, up to 80% of asymptomatic patients show abnormalities on urodynamic examination. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of repetitive magnetic stimulation on the motor cortex versus sacral roots in MS patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). 40 MS patients with LUTD were divided according to urodynamic studies (UDS) into two groups (20 patients each): Group A (overactive bladder) and Group B (underactive bladder). Each group was further subdivided into Subgroup (A-I) and (B-I) which received cortical magnetic stimulation and Subgroup (A-II) and (B-II) which received sacral magnetic stimulation. UDS, pelvic ultrasound as well as Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire were compared before and after magnetic stimulation sessions in each group as well as between groups. UDS showed significant reduction in bladder capacity, improvement in bladder contractility in all groups and subgroups. Moreover, it showed improvement of urine flow rate only in Group B. Reduction of post-void residual urine was noted in all subgroups except in (Group A-II). I-QOL questionnaire showed improvement in patients with underactive bladder only. Intergroup comparison between A and B showed no difference. Cortical as well as sacral magnetic stimulation showed significant effect on lower urinary tract dysfunction that led to improvement in symptoms in MS patients with underactive bladder, rather than those with overactive bladder.