title: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: an effective treatment for refractory non-neurogenic overactive bladder syndrome?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for treating refractory overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of 42 patients treated with TENS for refractory OAB was prospectively investigated at an academic tertiary referral centre. Effects were evaluated using bladder diary for at least 48 h and satisfaction assessment at baseline, after 12 weeks of TENS treatment, and at the last known follow-up. Adverse events related to TENS were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the 42 patients (25 women, 17 men) was 48 years (range, 18-76). TENS was successful following 12 weeks of treatment in 21 (50 %) patients, and the positive effect was sustained during a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 6-83 months) in 18 patients. Following 12 weeks of TENS treatment, mean number of voids per 24 h decreased significantly from 15 to 11 (p < 0.001) and mean voided volume increased significantly from 160 to 230 mL (p < 0.001). In addition, TENS completely restored continence in 7 (39 %) of the 18 incontinent patients. Before TENS, all 42 patients were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied; following 12 weeks of TENS treatment, 21 (50 %) patients felt satisfied or very satisfied (p < 0.001). No adverse events related to TENS were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TENS seems to be an effective and safe treatment for refractory OAB warranting randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tellenbach
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mordasini
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Thalmann
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult