Neurogenic Overactive Bladder

Neurogenic overactive bladder (nOAB) is a common and distressing sequela following stroke, significantly impairing quality of life and imposing a substantial financial burden. Existing pharmacological options often present adverse effects, while standard non-pharmacological treatments, such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), face compliance and efficacy limitations in individuals with functional impairments. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique capable of modulating neuronal excitability and cortical plasticity. Targeting the supplementary motor area (SMA) via tDCS may regulate pelvic floor muscle (PFM) and detrusor activities. However, clinical evidence evaluating tDCS as an adjuvant to PFMT for stroke survivors with nOAB is lacking. This randomized controlled pilot trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary effectiveness, and cost-utility of active tDCS combined with PFMT compared to sham tDCS plus PFMT in stroke survivors suffering from nOAB.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary widely depending on the areas impacted and may include fatigue, vision issues, speech difficulties, tremors, limb weakness, loss of sensation, vertigo, coordination problems, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. Among these, lower urinary tract symptoms are particularly common and significantly impact the quality of life for MS patients. Neurogenic overactive bladder (NOAB) is a prevalent urinary issue in individuals with MS. Treatment options for NOAB include behavioral therapy, β-3 agonists, anticholinergic agents, posterior tibial nerve neuromodulation (PTNM), botulinum toxin injections, sacral root neurostimulation, and surgical interventions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may improve bladder function by modulating neural activity through an electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp. In contrast, posterior tibial nerve neuromodulation (PTNM) involves electrical stimulation of the spinal cord roots, primarily the S3 segment, to enhance bladder function. Despite promising evidence, rTMS and PTNM are not yet widely recommended in global guidelines due to the limited number of studies, many of which are case reports. The growing prevalence of overactive bladder underscores the need for effective, non-invasive treatments to improve management and optimize current protocols. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of rTMS and tibial nerve stimulation in managing neurogenic overactive bladder in MS patients at Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. The primary objective is to determine whether rTMS is superior, equivalent, or inferior to tibial nerve stimulation in treating NOAB. The study's hypothesis is that the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation will differ from that of tibial nerve stimulation in managing NOAB in MS patients at Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, with a focus on assessing whether rTMS offers superior, equivalent, or inferior outcomes compared to tibial nerve stimulation. This investigation seeks to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of these treatment modalities.