Pilot Study of a Novel At-Home Posterior Tibial Nerve System for Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Abstract

Importance Urgency urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are common conditions. Third-line therapies are often underutilized because of either being too invasive or being burdensome for the patient. Objective We aimed to determine the efficacy and acceptability of a noninvasive, home-based posterior tibial nerve treatment system for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome. Study Design In this pilot study, 10 postmenopausal women with urgency urinary incontinence were given the SoleStim System for home-based posterior tibial nerve stimulation. Symptoms at baseline and completion of the 8-week study were determined by 3-day voiding diary and quality-of-life questionnaire (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire) to assess for reduction in incontinence episodes. Results All patients were 100% adherent to the SoleStim System application over the 8-week period and reported statistically significant reductions in the mean number of voids (−16.3%, P = 0.022), urgency episodes (−31.2%, P = 0.02), and urgency urinary incontinence episodes (−31.4%, P = 0.045). Forty percent of participants reported a decrease of ≥50% in their urgency urinary incontinence episodes. SoleStim was scored a value of 1.8 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) on a 10-point usability scale, indicating that it was highly acceptable from an ease-of-use perspective. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions The SoleStim System improved key overactive bladder (frequency, urgency, and urgency urinary incontinence episodes) and quality-of-life metrics. The results from this pilot study suggest that the SoleStim System may be a safe, effective, and highly acceptable at-home overactive bladder therapy.