The effect of semiconditional dorsal penile nerve electrical stimulation on capacity and compliance of the bladder with deformity in spinal cord injury patients: a pilot study.

STUDY

DESIGN

Bladder capacity, bladder compliance, the volume of the first overactive contraction, maximal volume during cystometry (CMG) and the vesicoureteral reflux, bladder wall deformity before and after semiconditional stimulation on DPN.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of the semiconditional electrical stimulation on dorsal penile nerve (DPN) to improve the complicated bladder function in male with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Semiconditional stimulation system and urodynamic laboratory in a university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Six men (age, 33-59 years) with SCI incurred from 38 to 156 months before this study.

INTERVENTION: semiconditional stimulation parameters were set during CMG and semiconditional stimulation on DPN by surface electrodes via Empi Focus stimulator was applied from 14 to 28 days, at home. Parameters about bladder function were measured before and after stimulation applied.

RESULT: All parameters for bladder after semiconditional stimulation were increased. Also, the vesicoureteral reflux and bladder wall deformity was improved in five of six patients.

CONCLUSION

Semiconditional electrical stimulation on DPN effectively suppresses neurogenic detrusor overactivity and distend the bladder physiologically in the SCI patient with a complicated bladder. The bladder capacity and compliance as well as the bladder wall deformity were improved as a result of this treatment.