Authors' recommendations: High quality evidence indicates that percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is as effective, but not better than drugs as third line treatment in patients with overactive bladder and that when both approaches are combined the outcomes are better than single administration of any of them at three-months of treatment. Moderate quality evidence shows that percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation may be used as first line treatment, showing similar results to those obtained with anticholinergic drugs and with less frequent adverse effects. It has not been proven to be better than transvaginal electrical stimulation and there are no studies demonstrating that the effects continue beyond six months. There is scarce high quality evidence showing that transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation is as effective as drug use for the treatment of overactive bladder, with sustained effect at six-month treatment. This stimulation technique has the advantage of being non-invasive and self-administered by the patient. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is recommended as third line treatment in most clinical practice guidelines surveyed. The healthcare providers from Chile, United Kingdom and United States and the health sponsors from United States cover percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, but not transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2017

URL for published report: www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)