Among the physical therapy modalities, stimulation is undoubtedly essential for the treatment of urgency urinary incontinence, mainly with a neuromodulation effect and can be used as a combination or isolated therapy. However, scientific evidence is not yet strong enough to determine the best parameters for each therapeutic application. Transcutaneous stimulation is considered a third-line treatment option to urinary incontinence. Neuromodulation through depolarization of the tibial nerve affect the sacral reflex center. Interferential current is a promising modality that reduces discomfort to patients once it current is modulated current in medium frequency and reduce impedance for the delivery of the electric current. The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of the Interferential current in symptoms overactive bladder in women.

This results are partial data from a randomized controlled trial (REBEC: RBR-8bkkp6). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 11479119.9.0000.5406) and all participants signed the consent form. The inclusion criteria was bladder hyperactivity symptoms with a negative diagnosis for lower urinary tract infections, between 18 and 80 years old. All women underwent electrostimulation with Interferential current in the tibial nerve for 20 sessions, between two to three times a week, for 30 minutes. The frequency of 4KHz was used, modulated at 100Hz and sweep at 100Hz, in continuous mode. Concern the electrodes position  1 electrode was placed immediately behind the medial malleolus and the other electrode aligned 5-10 cm above. Four questionnaires were carried out at three different moments of the intervention to verify the occurrence, volume, frequency, severity and impact of overactive bladder (ICIQ-SF, OAB-V8, ICIQ-OAB e ISI). Finally, the three moments of evaluation were compared and analyzed at baseline, after 10 session, after 20 session and 3 months follow-up.

Five women who presented urinary incontinence (100% mixed urinary incontinence e 40% nocturia symptoms) were included for analysis.The average age was 57+14,6 years old, the majority was multiparous with 3+2,3 deliveries in average, 75% performed a vaginal delivery, 75% was on menopause and BMI was 32,7+8 kg/m2. Figure 1 shows the progression of the ICIQ-SF, OAB-V8, ICIQ-OAB, ISI questionnaire scores between time points.

These preliminary results showed that both physical and psychological symptoms decreased during time points, and even after 3 months follow-up the symptom still decreasing.

These data are from the first participants from a randomized  controlled trial comparing multiples neuromodulation currents. With this result interferential current seems to be a promising type of current that improve symptoms with patient comfort benefit and the effect should be remain in a long-term perspective.

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