TENS involves a battery-powered device that sends electrical impulses through electrodes on the skin surface. It can be either percutaneous, which means the needle passes through the skin, or transcutaneous, which is noninvasive and uses electrodes on the surface of the skin. PTNS takes place in a clinical setting and consists of 30-minute weekly sessions for 12 weeks. The needle attaches to a device outside the body that sends electrical pulses through the nerve. PTNS involves the placement of a needle above the ankle to stimulate the tibial nerve, which influences bladder function. These nerves play a role in bladder function. It entails surgical placement of an electrical stimulator under the skin that sends pulses to one of the sacral nerve roots in the lower back. SN is an invasive form of electrical stimulation. The FDA has not approved TENS for this condition, although some people still use it for this purpose. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a modification of electrical stimulation therapy. The FDA has approved two types of electrical stimulation for OAB: sacral neuromodulation (SN) and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). Types of electrical stimulation for overactive bladder The invasive option involves the surgical implantation of electrodes within the body that stimulate one of the sacral nerve roots, which lie in the lower back. The tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve that runs from the area behind the knee to around the ankle.
The noninvasive option entails passing an electric current through the bladder muscle via an anal or vaginal probe or through a needle that a doctor inserts into the tibial nerve. Electrical stimulation intends to inhibit these contractions to decrease the number of times a person needs to urinate.Įlectrical stimulation can be noninvasive or invasive. This muscle, known as the detrusor, is responsible for squeezing out urine. OAB occurs due to a muscle in the bladder contracting too much. When these are not effective, electrical stimulation is an option. Treatment of an overactive bladder involves lifestyle modifications and medications.
OAB affects an estimated 33 million people in the United States.