Lower abdominal pressure versus external bladder stimulation to aid bladder emptying in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the change in post-void residual bladder volumes (PVR) with ‘abdominal vibration’ using a percutaneous bladder stimulator in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared with either ‘no treatment’ or ‘abdominal pressure’.

Design: Randomized controlled cross-over study. Setting: Regional neurorehabilitation clinics.

Subjects: Twenty-eight MS patients with urinary symptoms and PVR > 100 ml. Twelve patients had urinary incontinence.

Methods: MS patients with voiding dysfunction and elevated PVR of 100–500 ml on BVI-3000 Ultrasound Scanner were randomized to either ‘abdominal pressure’ or ‘vibration’ by a portable, percutaneous, vibrating device (Queen Square Bladder Stimulator; Malem Medical) or to ‘no treatment’. PVR was assessed at the end of each two-week phase.

Outcome measure: PVR reduction by greater than 100 ml.

Results: The 28 patients ranged in age from 29 to 71 years with a mean age of 49 years and a mean duration of MS of 12 years (range 1–37 years). The PVR decreased from 231 (SD 119) ml during no treatment to 191 (SD 132) ml with abdominal pressure (p = 0.242). Using suprapubic vibration the PVR reduced further to 126 (SD 121) ml, which was highly significant (p = 0.002) compared with no treatment. The difference between abdominal pressure and vibration just failed to reach significance (p = 0.059). There was no significant reduction in either the frequency of micturition or episodes of incontinence. The device was well-tolerated by patients.

Conclusion: Abdominal vibration is an effective method of reducing PVR in MS patients and appears more effective than abdominal pressure alone.