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Original Clinical Article
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Sustained therapeutic effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: 24-month results of the STEP study†‡§
Article first published online: 5 JUN 2012
DOI: 10.1002/nau.22266
Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Peters, K. M., Carrico, D. J., MacDiarmid, S. A., Wooldridge, L. S., Khan, A. U., McCoy, C. E., Franco, N. and Bennett, J. B. (2013), Sustained therapeutic effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: 24-month results of the STEP study. Neurourol. Urodyn., 32: 24–29. doi: 10.1002/nau.22266
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Conflict of interest: Kenneth M. Peters is a consultant for Uroplasty. This relationship was established after the Sumit and Step Trials were designed and the studies begun.
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Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT00928395.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 DEC 2012
- Article first published online: 5 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 10 APR 2012
- Manuscript Received: 23 JAN 2012
Funded by
- Uroplasty, Inc., Minnetonka, MN
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- electric stimulation therapy;
- tibial nerve;
- urinary bladder;
- overactive;
- urinary incontinence;
- urge;
- nocturia;
- neuromodulation
Abstract
Aims
To evaluate the safety, sustained effectiveness, and treatment interval for percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for overactive bladder (OAB) therapy through 24 months.
Methods
A prospective study following treatment success after 12 weekly PTNS treatments, subjects were prescribed a 14-week tapering protocol, followed by ongoing therapy with a Personal Treatment Plan determined by the investigator and subject to sustain subject OAB symptom improvement. Questionnaires were completed every 3 months, voiding diaries every 6 months; adverse events were reported throughout.
Results
Of 50 subjects enrolled, 35 remained in the study at 24 months. During the 24 months following initial treatment success and a 14-week tapering protocol, mean treatments per month was 1.3. Voiding diary and OAB-q data demonstrate sustained improvement reported at 13 weeks through 24 months. Improvements in frequency, urge incontinence episodes, night-time voids and moderate-to-severe urgency episodes from voiding diaries at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were statistically significant compared to baseline (prior to initial 12 weekly treatments). Compared to baseline, OAB-q symptom severity scores and health related quality of life scores were statistically significant for improvement at each tested time point. Five mild adverse events of unknown relation to treatment were reported.
Conclusion
Sustained safety and efficacy of PTNS were demonstrated over 24 months with initial success after 12 weekly treatments, followed by a 14-week prescribed tapering protocol and a Personalized Treatment Plan. With an average of 1.3 treatments per month, PTNS therapy is a safe, durable, and valuable long-term OAB treatment option to sustain clinically significant OAB symptom control. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 24–29, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.