Sacral magnetic neuromodulation with intermittent theta burst waveform enhances overactive bladder: In vivo study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Urology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) presents treatment challenges, often requiring invasive methods.
• Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) offers a potential non-invasive therapeutic avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve rPMS, specifically intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), for treating overactive bladder (OAB).

Main Methods:

• Overactive bladder was induced in 33 rats using acetic acid (AA) infusion.
• Cystometrography (CMG) measured intravesical pressure and bladder activity.
• Sacral rPMS with iTBS was applied to assess therapeutic effects.

Main Results:

• rPMS with iTBS significantly increased voiding time and inter-contraction intervals in healthy rats.
• AA-induced OAB model showed reduced voiding time and inter-contraction intervals.
• Sacral rPMS with iTBS effectively inhibited AA-induced bladder overactivity, increasing inter-contraction intervals significantly.

Conclusions:

• Sacral nerve rPMS with iTBS effectively suppresses acetic acid-induced bladder overactivity in a rat model.
• This non-invasive neuromodulation technique presents a potential alternative for managing OAB.
• Further development could lead to enhanced bladder continence in OAB patients.