Noninvasive Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neurogenic and Idiopathic Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 12-30% of the world's population. The accompanying urinary urgency, urinary frequency and incontinence can impair the ability to work, interact in social activities and can result in poor social functioning. Multiple treatment modalities are available for overactive bladder. However, each therapy has drawbacks that limit its application in certain patient populations. For example, oral medications have significant side effects and suffer from poor adherence. Botulinum toxin injection into the bladder wall is invasive, requires re-treatment on a regular basis and carries a risk of urinary retention. Current neuromodulatory techniques are invasive and require highly-specialized care. Therefore, a need exists for a non-invasive, well-tolerated and easily administered therapy for OAB. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) has been developed and tested in able bodied individuals to initiate locomotor function as well as in the SCI population for lower extremity and upper extremity function. More recently, we have tested this SCI patients to enable lower urinary tract function and decrease detrusor overactivity, resulting in improved continence.