Electrical Stimulation of Somatic Afferent Nerves in the Foot Increases Bladder Capacity in Healthy Human Subjects

Chen, Mang L.; Chermansky, Christopher; Shen, Bing; Roppolo, James R.; Groat, William C. de; Tai, Changfeng

doi:10.1016/j.juro.2013.10.024

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Indeed, the same mechanisms might occur in healthy humans. It has been demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot can delay bladder filling sensations and significantly increase bladder capacity > 50% in healthy humans, and this technology has the potential to be an effective new treatment for patients with DO [ 3 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A previous study showed that foot stimulation using skin surface electrodes inhibits DO and has a long-lasting effect in cats [ 2 ], likely as a result of stimulating branches of the tibial nerve in the foot. Recently, Chen [ 3 ] reported that foot stimulation can also delay the bladder filling sensation and increase bladder volume in healthy humans without OAB.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot increases bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty

Liu

Miao

2015

BMC Urol

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BackgroundA previous study showed that foot stimulation can delay the bladder filling sensation and increase bladder volume in healthy humans without OAB. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot can increase bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty.MethodsEleven subjects underwent 30-min foot stimulation using skin surface electrodes connected to a bladder-pelvic stimulator. The electrodes were attached to the bottom of the foot. The subjects completed a 5-day voiding diary, during which time foot stimulation was applied on day 3. The stimulation parameter was a continuous, bi-polar square wave form with a pulse duration of 200 μs and a stimulation frequency of 5 Hz. The stimulation intensity was set by each subject at a maximal level without causing discomfort.ResultsThe volume per clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was 279.4 ± 11.7 ml and 285.4 ± 11.8 ml on the 1st and 2nd days, respectively. On the 3rd day, the average volume per CIC increased to 361.1 ± 18.1 ml after stimulation (p <0.05). The average volume per CIC returned to 295.4 ± 13.4 ml and 275.1 ± 11.5 ml on the 4th and 5th days, respectively.ConclusionsFoot stimulation can delay the bladder filling sensation and significantly increase bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot increases bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty

Liu

Miao

2015

BMC Urol

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“…We referred a report from Dr. Chen for the stimulation method [10]. Briefly, two skin surface electrodes (LGMedSupply, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA) were placed over the bottom of foot and connected to a TEC Elite transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (LGMedSupply, New Jersey, USA) which provided constant current, rectangular pulses of 5 Hz frequency and 0.2 millisecond pulse width (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies indicate that transcutaneous stimulation of the foot can result in more than 50% increase in bladder capacity in healthy adults [10], and inhibit bladder detrusor overactivity in spinal cord-injured patients [11]. Therefore, we hypothesize that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the foot might partially or completely relieve the symptoms caused by postoperative bladder spasms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot relieved symptoms related to postoperative bladder spasms

et al. 2017

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BackgroundBladder spasm is a common side effect of urological surgery. Main treatment modalities include opioids or anticholinergic medication; however, bladder spasms still occur even after these interventions. Recent studies indicate that transcutaneous stimulation of the foot can result in 50% increase in bladder capacity in healthy adults, and inhibit bladder detrusor overactivity in spinal cord injured patients. In this study, we examined the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the foot on bladder spasms related symptoms.MethodsSixty-six male patients who underwent prostate or bladder surgeries due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or bladder diseases were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 36) and the treatment group (n = 30). The control group received the routine postoperative care. The treatment group received daily transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the foot during 3 days after surgery; each time lasted for 60 min. All patients were evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale for pain sensation, frequency of bladder spasm episodes, and a total score of bladder spasms symptoms.ResultsIn the control group, the patients with bladder surgery had a higher Visual Analogue Scale score than patients with prostate surgery (P = 0.024). In both treatment and control groups, the Visual Analogue Scale score, spasm frequency, and total score of bladder spasm symptoms decreased from day 1 to day 3 (P <0.001). The Visual Analogue Scale score at day 2, total score of bladder spasm symptoms at day 2 and day 3 were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0.05).ConclusionThese results provided preliminary evidence suggesting beneficial effects of stimulating somatic afferent nerves in the foot on postoperative bladder spasms.Trial registrationThe study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on June 13 2016 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/) (Identifier: ChiCTR-INR-16008635)

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“…Experimental neuromodulation methods include (a) transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation with electrodes applied to the surface of the leg (9), (b) pudendal nerve stimulation with implanted or percutaneous electrodes (10), (c) transcutaneous foot stimulation with electrodes applied to the plantar surface (11), (d) electrical stimulation of the bladder via electrodes inserted through the urethra into the bladder lumen (12), (e) electrical stimulation of the urethra via electrodes inserted into the urethral lumen (13) and (f) electrical stimulation of the dorsal genital nerve (14,15). Sacral anterior root stimulation via permanently implanted electrodes, a technique developed by Brindley in the 1970s, is used to elicit emptying of the bladder or colon or penile erection in people with complete suprasacral spinal cord injuries (16).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Bioelectronic Medicine on the Neural Regulation of Pelvic Visceral Function

Groat

Tai

2015

Bioelectron Med

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Neuromodulation elicited by electrical stimulation of peripheral or spinal nerves is a U.S. Food and Drug Administered (FDA)-approved therapy for treating disorders of the pelvic viscera, including urinary urgency, urgency-frequency, nonobstructive urinary retention and fecal incontinence. The technique is also being tested experimentally for its efficacy in treating interstitial cystitis, chronic constipation and pelvic pain. The goal of neuromodulation is to suppress abnormal visceral sensations and involuntary reflexes and restore voluntary control. Although detailed mechanisms underlying the effects of neuromodulation are still to be elucidated, it is generally believed that effects are due to stimulation of action potentials in somatic afferent nerves. Afferent nerves project to the lumbosacral spinal cord, where they release excitatory neurotransmitters that activate ascending pathways to the brain or spinal circuits that modulate visceral sensory and involuntary motor mechanisms. Studies in animals revealed that different types of neuromodulation (for example, stimulation of a sacral spinal root, pudendal nerve or posterior tibial nerve) act by releasing different inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. In addition, certain types of neuromodulation inhibit visceral smooth muscle by initiating reflex firing in peripheral autonomic nerves or excite striated sphincter muscles by initiating reflex firing in somatic efferent nerves. This report will provide a brief summary of (a) neural control of the lower urinary tract and distal bowel, (b) clinical use of neuromodulation in the treatment of bladder and bowel dysfunctions, (c) putative mechanisms of action of neuromodulation on the basis of animal experiments and (d) new approaches using combination therapies to improve the efficacy of neuromodulation.

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Electrical Stimulation of Somatic Afferent Nerves in the Foot Increases Bladder Capacity in Healthy Human Subjects

Cited by 16 publications

References 17 publications

Electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot increases bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty

Electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot increases bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot relieved symptoms related to postoperative bladder spasms

Impact of Bioelectronic Medicine on the Neural Regulation of Pelvic Visceral Function

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