Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Management of Neurogenic bladder Secondary to Spina Bifida.

Aims: To assess the role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), alone or in combination with anticholinergic drugs in the management of neurogenic bladder (NB) in spina bifida (SB). Materials and Methods: All the consecutive patients, visiting outpatient clinic between July 2017 and December 2018, who were toilet trained and at least 1 year post-SB surgery with clinical and/or urodynamic evidence of NB, were included in the study. Out of 65 patients, 40 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were randomised into: group A (ten patients, placebo TENS with anticholinergic agents), Group B (14 patients, TENS therapy with placebo medications) and Group C (16 patients, TENS therapy with anticholinergic medications). All the patients maintained a voiding diary and underwent assessment before and after the intervention. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: The presenting symptoms were urinary incontinence (100%), increased frequency (45%), straining during micturition (22.5%), urgency (22.5%), and hesitancy (30%). The demographic parameters were comparable in all the groups. After group specific intervention, the wet episodes/day significantly improved in Group C ( Conclusions: The application of TENS in NB secondary to SB is effective and its application led to improvement in symptoms, decrease in the wet episodes/day, maximum detrusor pressure, instability, bladder compliance, and capacity. TENS therapy in combination with anticholinergic agents had a better outcome as compared to monotherapy with either of the two modalities.