Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in children with overactive bladder: comparison between sessions administered two and three times weekly

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study compares the results achieved following parasacral TENS administered using two different weekly schedules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children of at least four years of age with a diagnosis of pure overactive bladder were included in this randomized clinical trial and treated with parasacral TENS (2 versus 3 sessions per week). All the participants also underwent standard urotherapy. RESULTS: Sixteen children were included in the twice-weekly group and eighteen in the three times weekly group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to sex; however, there was a difference in age. There were no significant differences regarding complete resolution of urinary symptoms, with 8 children (50%) in the twice-weekly group and 11 children (61%) in the three times weekly group having their symptoms completely resolved (p=0.73). There was a significant difference in the DVSS score in both groups following TENS treatment compared to baseline (p=0.0001 for both groups), but not between groups. Evaluation of the bladder diary showed no difference between the groups before or after treatment. CONCLUSION: For children with overactive bladder who are unable to undergo parasacral TENS treatment three times weekly, the method can be administered successfully at twice-weekly sessions.