Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Idiopathic Overactive Bladder in Children

iBackground: /iTranscutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) is a promising treatment modality for idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) in the pediatric population. iObjective: /iTo evaluate the efficacy of TPTNS in children suffering from idiopathic OAB refractory to conventional therapies. iMethod: /iIt is a retrospective study including children with clinical OAB syndrome refractory to treatment. The TPTNS protocol consisted of a daily 20-minute session (5 times per week, frequency 10 Hz, pulse width 200 µsec). All patients and family were instructed on how to use the device at home. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on perceived clinical improvement or success using a 3-day voiding diary and visual analog scale (VAS). The evaluation of treatment effectiveness was done after 1 and 6 months. iResult: /iA total of 55 children were included in the study (31 girls and 24 boys), with a mean age of 10.6 ± 3.1 years. All patients experienced urinary urgency, 78.2% had frequency and 51% urge incontinence. 32.7% exhibited both daytime and nighttime symptoms. After one month of TPTNS, clinical outcomes showed improvement in 52 patients. The perceived improvement was more pronounced for daytime symptoms. After 6 months, 65.5% were considered cured while the remaining patients showed continued improvement. On the VAS, 72.7% assessed the improvement in symptoms as between 9/10 and 10/10. iConclusion: /iTPTNS represents a potentially effective and noninvasive treatment strategy for idiopathic OAB in children, showing significant symptom improvement without adverse effects. However, further research is needed to determine optimal treatment parameters.