Can Wireless Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation Applied to the Genital Nerve Manage Urinary Incontinence Following Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis?

Abstract

Individuals with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis usually use intermittent catheterization for urinary management; however, many patients will also encounter a condition of neurogenic detrusor overactivity, which causes urinary incontinence. The use of muscarinic receptor antagonists is the first-line treatment to manage this condition. These drugs, however, have significant side effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied to the genital nerve (GEN) is an alternative noninvasive method that produces detrusor inhibition through neuromodulation. Despite studies demonstrating bladder inhibition with GEN, more outcomes are required regarding decreased use of bladder inhibitory medications and concerns with dangling wires. It is proposed that wireless-GEN can be used in home-use studies in order to address these limitations. If needed, wireless tibial nerve stimulation could be added to improve incontinence management.

Keywords

• lower urinary tract
• urinary incontinence
• neurogenic detrusor overactivity
• catheter
• spinal cord injury
• multiple sclerosis