Mindfulness and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Attenuate Situational Urgency Urinary Incontinence...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Urology
• Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• Situational urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) significantly impacts women's quality of life, accounting for up to half of all UUI episodes.
• Current treatments often involve pharmaceutical interventions with potential side effects and adherence challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of mindfulness (MI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing UUI symptoms.
• To examine the combined and independent effects of MI and tDCS on reactivity to urgency triggers and attentional bias.

Main Methods:

• A 5-session study with 1-week follow-up was conducted on women over 40 with regular UUI.
• Participants were randomized to MI, tDCS, or MI+tDCS interventions during exposure to personalized urgency cues.
• Assessments included bladder diaries, questionnaires, reactivity to cues, and a modified Stroop task.

Main Results:

• All groups showed reduced reactivity to personal urgency cues.
• The MI+tDCS group demonstrated reduced attentional bias to toileting words and a significant decrease in daily urgency episodes.
• A clinically meaningful reduction in UUI symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS score) was observed at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness and tDCS are promising non-invasive therapies for UUI in women.
• These interventions show potential for easy dissemination, high adherence, and avoid pharmaceutical burdens.