OBJECTIVE: In our study, we evaluated the efficacy of sacral dermatomal transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (SDTENS) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had overactive detrusors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighteen patients (15 males, 3 females) with SCI who had overactive detrusors were included in the study and were assigned to stimulation and control groups randomly. All patients were given anticholinergic agent (Oxybutinin HCl). In the stimulation group, transcutaneous electrical stimulation was added to the treatment for three weeks. RESULTS: The mean pre- and post-treatment maximum cystometric capacities in the stimulation and control groups were 92.1 +/- 43.6 ml, 226.6 +/- 133.1 ml (p = 0.008) and 92.3 +/- 47.0 ml, 222.1 +/- 178.2 ml, respectively (p = 0.066) and the mean increases were 189% and 170% (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Statistically significant increase was achieved in bladder capacity by SDTENS plus oral anticholinergic therapy in patients with SCI who had overactive detrusors, while increase in bladder capacity did not reach level of statistical significance in patients who were treated with oral anticholinergic medication alone in the same treatment duration. Although SDTENS appears to be a possible adjuvant treatment option in this patient group, new studies with larger sample sizes are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of this method.

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