Feasibility of Triggered Sacral Neuromodulation for Neurogenic Bladder

Incontinence associates with military service and post-traumatic stress disorder in both male and female Veterans. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) is caused by spinal cord injury or disorder, or peripheral neurodegenerative conditions, and causes urine leakage at low volumes. NDO is disproportionately experienced by Veterans and treatment effectiveness varies greatly between individuals. This project will demonstrate the feasibility of a new type of nerve stimulation-triggered sacral neuromodulation-to treat NDO in Veterans. A wireless bladder sensor will be inserted into the bladder to transmit a feedback signal enabling stimulation from a percutaneous lead. The wireless sensor will also measure NDO symptoms during simulated activities of daily living without catheters. Catheter-free detection of bladder activity will improve the outcomes of neuromodulation evaluations for Veterans with NDO. Future work could use the triggered neuromodulation system to study other methods of nerve stimulation to treat bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction.