A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effectiveness of Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Patients With Overactive Bladder

Leaking urine is called "incontinence". Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is another common bladder problem. It's different from OAB. People with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or doing other physical activities. If you have an overactive bladder, you may feel embarrassed, isolate yourself, or limit your work and social life.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a very common clinical condition, with an overall prevalence estimated at 11.5% in the general population of Pakistan.

In traditional medicine and recent years, nerve stimulation has been introduced as a replacement therapy for managing several disorders such as overactive bladder. However, there is still controversy in this regard. Therefore, the present study is aimed to find out the effectiveness of Electric Muscle Stimulation and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in treatment of overactive bladder.To overcome this controversy we need to do this study in Pakistan and find out whether there is any role of EMS and TENS in the management of OAB.

OAB is one of the important conditions that lead to the limitation in activity and participation due to dribbling, urgency and frequency of urination. According to literature review there is a strong linkage between OAB rehabilitation and improvement of patient symptoms. The Neuromodulation plays a significant role in the management of OAB. The proper task specific rehabilitation not only improves the functional status of a person rather it enhances the quality of life and their active role in community. In routine rehabilitation main focus is always on the role of pelvic floor exercises but Neuromodulation is still neglected in treatment regimen of OAB in Pakistan. The patients will profit in better help of manifestations if Neuromodulation intervention is applied that is upheld by proof for the treatment of OAB. The consequences of the investigation will be useful for the Physical Therapists in planning and picking best treatment approach for the treatment of OAB.

TENS is based on the gate control theory of abolishing the local micturition reflex arc. It is a non-pharmacological method of inhibiting the presynaptic afferent neurons carrying impulses from bladder by stimulating the nerves of peripheral segmental dermatome (gate control theory of electro modulation by stimulating the peripheral nerves corresponding to the visceral organ). It acts at the level of primitive voiding reflex coordinating the bladder, sphincter and the pelvic floor. Detrusor hyperreflexia can be inhibited by direct inhibition of impulses in the preganglionic afferent neuron or by inhibition of bladder preganglionic neurons of the efferent limb of micturition reflex.