SynthesisInternational urology and nephrology2026
Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus oxybutynin in the treatment of overactive bladder in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in International urology and nephrology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Electrotherapy in Pediatric Rehabilitation: A Structured Narrative Review of Clinical Applications, Treatment Parameters, Safety, and Evidence Gaps.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundOveractive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in children, affecting 5-12% of children between the ages of 5 and 10 years. It is characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, often leading to incontinence. OAB significantly impacts a child's emotional and social development, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal. Oxybutynin is the standard treatment for overactive bladder in children, but side effects like dry mouth, constipation, and cognitive issues can make it difficult for patients to stick with the therapy.
methodsThis study systematically reviewed and analyzed existing research to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus oxybutynin for treating overactive bladder in children. We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and other databases up to April 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported outcomes related to symptom improvement and adverse effects in children with OAB. We included studies based on the PICO criteria: pediatric patients (under 18 years), OAB treatment (TENS or Oxybutynin), and outcomes such as urinary urgency and incontinence. The risk ratios were calculated to compare the two treatments, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I
resultsThe search found six relevant studies and three of these were suitable for the meta-analysis. The results showed that TENS was much more effective than oxybutynin in improving symptoms, with a risk ratio of 1.93 (95% CI 1.35-2.74). TENS also caused fewer side effects compared to oxybutynin, with a risk ratio of 0.09 (95% CI 0.03-0.30). There was no variation between the studies (I
conclusionTENS has been shown to be both more effective and safer than oxybutynin for treating overactive bladder in children. It leads to greater improvement in symptoms and is linked to fewer side effects. These results indicate that TENS may be a better option, especially for children who have difficulty tolerating medication due to adverse reactions.
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