Effects of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder symptoms in adults: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, often accompanied by urinary incontinence. OAB significantly impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) is a non-invasive treatment option used to manage overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Objective: to determine the effects of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation on overactive bladder symptoms in adults. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was held at the Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a non-probability purposive sampling technique. After screening for inclusion criteria 60 patients were randomly allocated into two Group A received Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) combined with traditional physiotherapy, while Group B just received traditional physiotherapy. Both interventions were given for six weeks. The overactive Bladder Symptom Score was used as an outcome measure tool. Results: Group A improved in all OAB parameters, including daytime frequency (p=0.008), nocturia (p=0.006), urinary urgency (p=0.002), and urge urinary incontinence (p=0.008) with a significant improvement p<0.05. All OABSS parameters in group B also showed a considerable improvement (p<0.05), except for urge urinary incontinence (p=0.08). Conclusion: the daytime frequency, nocturia, and urgency parameters of the overactive bladder symptoms score significantly decreased in both the TTNS+PFM group and the Traditional physiotherapy group. However, urge urinary incontinence showed significant improvement only in the TTNS+PFM group.