Millions of Americans are suffering from underactive bladder (UAB). The impact of severe UAB, i.e. non-obstructive urinary retention (NOUR) on quality of life is significant because current treatment for non-obstructive urinary retention requires intermittent self-catheterization or an indwelling suprapubic catheter. Currently an effective drug for non-obstructive urinary retention does not exist. It is a therapeutic challenge for clinicians to successfully treat non-obstructive urinary retention. Sacral neuromodulation has been approved by the FDA since 1999 to treat non-obstructive urinary retention. It achieves \>50% improvement in bladder emptying (reducing the frequency of self-catheterization or increasing voided volume) in just over half of the patients. Sacral neuromodulation requires surgical implantation of a stimulator and a lead with 4 electrodes. The surgery and implant are invasive and expensive, preventing a broad application of this effective therapy to many non-obstructive urinary retention patients. The goal of this study is to develop a novel non-invasive neuromodulation therapy for non-obstructive urinary retention as an alternative. Specifically, the investigators will explore the possibility to translate into humans a recent discovery in cats of an excitatory reflex from the superficial peroneal nerve to the bladder to treat non-obstructive urinary retention. Therefore, in this study the investigators propose to develop a non-invasive, transcutaneous neuromodulation therapy for non-obstructive urinary retention that can be administered at home.
Age range
18 Years – 90 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Number of voids per subject in 24 hours.
Timeframe: 3 weeks
Number of catheterizations per subject in 24 hours.
Timeframe: 3 weeks
Volume of urine per void.
Timeframe: 3 weeks
Catheterized Post Void Residual volume
Timeframe: 3 weeks
Bladder Voiding efficiency
Timeframe: 3 weeks
Bladder capacity
Timeframe: 3 weeks