Comparison of the Efficacy of Perineal and Intravaginal Electrical Stimulation in Women With Idiopathic Overactive Bladder

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18+
SponsorPamukkale University

About this trial

The investigators conducted a prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study based on a placebo technique to evaluate the efficacy of IVES vs perineal ES in women with idiopathic OAB.

The main questions aimed to be answered are:

Is Intravaginal Electrical Stimulation (IVES) or perineal ES more effective on clinical parameters related to incontinence and quality of life in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB)? Participants (n:63) with idiopathic OAB who meet the exclusion and inclusion criteria will be divided into 3 groups using a randomization table. The first group will receive IVES and bladder training (n:21), second group will receive perineal ES and bladder training (n:21) and third group will receive bladder training (n=21) . Measurements will be performed twice in total, before and at the end of treatment (8th week).

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Women over the age of 18 with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic OAB

Intolerant or unresponsive to antimuscarinic or oral β3 adrenoceptor agonist (mirabegron) medications and not using them for at least 4 weeks

Ability to understand the procedures, advantages, and potential side effects

Ability to provide written, informed consent

Disqualifiers

Women with pure stress urinary incontinence

History of conservative treatment for OAB within the last 6 months (MI, IVES, perineal ES, etc.)

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant at the time of the study

Diagnosis of vaginal infection, urinary tract infection, or cancer

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Intravaginal ES

    Other intervention

    IVES will be performed in the lithotomy position using a vaginal probe and a stimulation device . IVES will be performed three days a week for 20 minutes per day for 8 weeks, totaling 24 sessions. Stimulation parameters will be a frequency of 10 Hz, a 5-10 second work-rest cycle, and a 100 ms pulse width. A symmetrical biphasic pulse wave can be delivered in the range of 1-100 mA (based on the patient's discomfort level feedback).

  • BT

    Other intervention

    A written brochure will then be provided as a program that can be implemented at home. In the first stage, women will be informed about the location of the BT, pelvic anatomy, and pathophysiology. Following this informational session, they will be demonstrated how to squeeze the BT at least once using digital palpation techniques to suppress urgency. In the second stage, which includes urgency suppression strategies, the aim is to delay urination, inhibit detrusor contraction, and prevent urgency by squeezing the BT several times in a row, taking deep breaths, focusing on another task for a while, and self-motivating themselves. In the third stage, a timed voiding program will be initiated. This will be carried out in two steps: timed voiding and increasing the time between voids by keeping a voiding diary. In the final stage, women will be encouraged to continue BT

  • Perineal ES

    Other intervention

    Perineal ES will be administered in the lithotomy position using a combined electrotherapy stimulation device with surface electrodes. Perineal ES will be administered 20 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks, for a total of 24 sessions. Stimulation parameters will be 10 Hz frequency, 5-10 s work-rest cycle, and 100 µs pulse width. A symmetrical biphasic current wave can be delivered in the 1-100 mA range (depending on the patient's discomfort level feedback). In this application, five 2 cm diameter surface electrodes will be used: four electrodes symmetrically in the perianal region and one electrode (ground-neutral electrode) on the leg. Patients will not perform voluntary contractions during ES. Surface electrodes will be used individually for each patient. Perineal ES sessions will be performed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.

Treatment groups

63 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: BT + Intravaginal ESExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: BT + Perineal ESExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Bladder Training (BT)Active comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Improvement in rate incontinence episodes

Reduction in incontinence episodes will be collected. Women with ≥50% reduction in incontinence episodes will be considered positive responders

Time frame
Change from baseline Improvement in incontinence episodes at the 8th week after the treatment

Secondary outcomes

1

The 24-hour pad test

The 24-hour pad test was carried out to evaluate the severity of incontinence

Time frame
Change from baseline the severity of incontinence at the 8th week after the treatment
2

Symptom severity

Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8) will be used to evaluate symptom severity in women with OAB in the study. The OAB-V8 consists of 8 questions in which patients can be classified as symptom severity: none (0), very little (1), a little (2), quite a few (3), very (4), and too many (5). The total score ranges from 0-40.

Time frame
Change from baseline symptom severity at the 8th week after the treatment
3

Frequency of voiding, nocturia, number of pads

The frequency of voiding, nocturia, and the number of pads used will be collected from the 3-day bladder diary.

Time frame
Change from baseline Frequency of voiding, nocturia, number of pads at the 8th week after the treatment
4

The Quality of Life

The Quality of Life-Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ7) will be used to assess specific QoL related to incontinence. The scale consists of 7 questions and is scored on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (very much). The total score ranges from 0 to 21 points. High scores mean bad results.

Time frame
Change from baseline the Quality of Life at the 8th week after the treatment

Other outcomes

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