Pilot Study: Foot Neuromodulation for Nocturnal Enuresis in Children

Summary

Background: Previous animal model studies at the University of Pittsburgh have shown a significant impact on inhibiting bladder over activity and increasing bladder capacity with neuromodulation techniques, specifically tibial nerve stimulation. This has been translated into adult clinical trials through the department of urology. Through the use of a commercially available subcutaneous nerve stimulator placed on the dorsum of the foot, researchers were able to demonstrate a significant increase in bladder capacity and the delay of voiding sensation for up to 5 hours after stimulation in eight healthy subjects. This prompted the clinical trial approved under IRB PRO13020474 which is currently enrolling patients.

The incidence of night-time overactive bladder leading to nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) is very common in the pediatric and teenage population, particularly in patients without daytime bladder over activity symptoms. When behavioral modification (i.e. refraining from night-time fluid consumption and bladder irritants, and bed wetting alarms for timed voiding) fails which it often does there is a paucity of effective and safe treatment options. Medications can be tried, but generally these are from the tricyclic antidepressant family and carry significant side effects limiting the use.

Aim: Researchers aim to utilize the same technology currently being studied under IRB PRO14080250. Electrical stimulation will be applied to the foot via skin surface electrodes for a minimum of 1 hour before bed for 2 weeks to 5 normal subjects. Normal Subjects will be asked to complete a questionnaire about any skin irritation or experiences of toe twitching while wearing the newly designed TENS device, during a return visit with Dr. Stephany. The primary outcomes of this study are safety and functionality of the New TENS unit

Conditions

• Bedwetting

Interventions

DEVICE

NewTENS Design

This device functions the same as the FDA approved TENS unit, but provides a small, inexpensive unit that will be easy for a child to use. The stimulation characteristics include a continuous frequency of 5 Hz, pulsewidth 0.2 ms, and intensity 2-4 times the threshold voltage required for inducing toe twitching - or the intensity that the subject feels comfortable with. The subjects will also be instructed how to use the stimulator and where to attach the electrodes on the foot at the beginning of the study. The investigator will provide the stimulator and electrodes. The subjects will be asked to wear socks to prevent the electrodes from detachment and to stop the stimulation during walking or in any non-resting situation. Subjects will be asked to use the stimulator for a MINIMUM of 60 minutes in the evening prior to bedtime at home for two weeks. They will be encouraged to use the stimulator for more time than the minimum as long as they accurately record the total duration.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CMI's Early-Stage Medical Technology Research and Development 2015 PILOT FUNDING PROGRAM

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Heidi Stephany

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Heidi A Stephany, MD · University of Pittsburgh

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-03-31

Primary Completion

2017-04-30

Completion

2017-04-30