Effectiveness and Safety of Tibial Nerve Stimulation Versus Anticholinergic Drugs for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome: a Meta-analysis

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) and anticholinergic drugs (ACDs) for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).

Methods: Qualified studies up to November 3, 2020 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Pooled mean differences (MDs) were calculated to evaluate the improvement of micturition frequency per day, nocturia per night, urinary urgency episodes per day, incontinence episodes per day, and voided volume each time. Odd ratios (ORs) were used to assess the discontinuation rate.

Results: A total of 6 RCTs including 291 patients were included. Comparing with those receiving ACDs, patients receiving TNS had a significantly better improvement of urge incontinence episodes (MD =-1.11; 95% CI: -1.66, -0.55; P<0.001), but had comparable effect on micturition (MD =-0.75; 95% CI: -1.78, 0.28; P=0.16), nocturia (MD =-1.11; 95% CI: -2.93, 0.72; P=0.23), urgency (MD =-0.57; 95% CI: -1.93, 0.79; P=0.41) and voided volume (MD =11.61; 95% CI: -3.95, 27.18; P=0.14). Moreover, TNS group had a significantly lower discontinuation rate (OR =0.13; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.51; P=0.003) during the trials.

Discussion: TNS is as effective as ACDs for treating OAB, but with better performance on the decrease of urge incontinence episodes. Besides, TNS appears to be more tolerable than ACDs.