Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus sham stimulation for the treatment of catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD), characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and suprapubic pain, is a clinically significant complication following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Current CRBD pharmacotherapy faces inherent limitations due to adverse effect profiles. Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), a noninvasive neuromodulation therapy with demonstrated efficacy in bladder dysfunction management, shows particular promise as a safe and effective alternative for CRBD treatment. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled patients undergoing TURP under general anesthesia. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either active TTNS intervention or sham stimulation. The primary outcome focused on CRBD-related discomfort severity assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) immediately post-intervention. Secondary outcomes comprised CRBD severity and pain scores at 1-, 2-, and 6-h post-intervention intervals, analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction ratings, and occurrence of postoperative delirium. This protocol evaluates the therapeutic potential of TTNS for CRBD following TURP, exploring its viability as a non-invasive alternative to current CRBD management. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400088488. Registered on 20th August 2024.