Ultrasound-responsive microfibers promoted infected wound healing with neuro-vascularization by segmented sonodynamic therapy and electrical stimulation.

Bacteria-infected wounds pose challenges to healing due to persistent infection and associated damage to nerves and vessels. Although sonodynamic therapy can help kill bacteria, it is limited by the residual oxidative stress, resulting in prolonged inflammation. To tackle these barriers, novel 4 octyl itaconate-coated Li-doped ZnO/PLLA piezoelectric composite microfibers are developed, offering a whole-course "targeted" treatment under ultrasound therapy. The inclusion of Li atoms causes the ZnO lattice distortion and increases the band gap, enhancing the piezoelectric and sonocatalytic properties of the composite microfibers, collaborated by an aligned PLLA conformation design. During the infection and inflammation stages, the piezoelectric microfibers exhibit spatiotemporal-dependent therapeutic effects, swiftly eliminating over 94.2 % of S. aureus within 15 min under sonodynamic therapy. Following this phase, the microfibers capture reactive oxygen species and aid macrophage reprogramming, restoring mitochondrial function, achieving homeostasis, and shortening inflammation cycles. As the wound progresses through the healing stages, bioactive Zn2+ and Li + ions are continuously released, improving cell recruitment, and the piezoelectrical stimulation enhances wound recovery with neuro-vascularization. Compared to commercially available dressings, our microfibers accelerate the closure of rat wounds (Φ = 15 mm) without scarring in 12 days. Overall, this "one stone, four birds" wound management strategy presents a promising avenue for infected wound therapy.

Effectiveness of whole-body electromyostimulation on knee pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

In a randomized, controlled study, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was investigated as a promising alternative treatment technique compared to conventional strength training for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Seventy-two overweight participants with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to WB-EMS (n = 36) or a usual care group (UCG, n = 36). For seven months, the WB-EMS group received three times per fortnight a WB-EMS training, while the UCG was prescribed six-times physiotherapeutic treatments. We observed significant effects for the primary outcome "pain", as determined by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), with more favourable changes in the WB-EMS group vs UCG (between-group difference 9.0 points, 95%CI 2.9-15.1, p = 0.004). Secondary outcomes, including the other KOOS subscales (symptoms, function in daily living, function in sports/recreational activities and quality of life), 7 day pain diary, hip/leg extensor strength and lower limb function (30s sit-to-stand test), were also statistically significant in favour of the WB-EMS group. Overall, WB-EMS was found to be effective in relieving knee pain symptoms and improving physical function in individuals with symptomatic knee OA compared to usual care treatment. WB-EMS could be used as an alternative therapy in the management of knee OA; particularly for patients that cannot be motivated for conventional training.

[Peripheral nerves' function recovery by intratissual electric stimulation]. / Vosstanovlenie funktsii perifericheskikh nervov vnutritkanevoi elektrostimulyatsiei.

An intratissual electrical stimulation, accompanied by irritation of their central neurons, is used to recover the function of damaged peripheral nerves. Treatment results exceeded those with the use of cutaneous electrical stimulation, which is confirmed by comparative results of trial animal experiments. The time and quality of peripheral nerves' function recovery in comparison of intratissual and cutaneous electrical stimulation methods remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time and quality of peripheral nerves' functions recovery after their suturing and conducting two different methods of electrical stimulation, namely intratissual and cutaneous, in projection of central neurons of damaged spinal nerves in the postoperative period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The basic technical parameters of the method of peripheral nerves' functions recovery in the postoperative period were ptacticed. Postoperative rehabilitation treatment was performed in 77 patients with traumatic peripheral nerves' injuries at the level of the forearm: in 42 with intratissual electrical stimulation, in 35 - using cutaneous one with similar characteristics of electrical current and concomitant pharmacological therapy. The follow-up duration was 2 years. RESULTS: A significant (in 4-6 times) reduction in time of treatment and a greater improvement in qualitative indicators when using intratissual electrical stimulation compared to the use of cutaneous stimulation were obtained. The effectiveness of the restorative therapy was dependent on the number of procedures, and a complete recovery of the damaged peripheral nerves' functions was observed after three courses of intratissual electrical stimulation. CONCLUSION: The time and degree of recovery of peripheral nerves' functions depends on the functional activity of their central neurons at the level of the spinal cord. The activation of these neurons by low-frequency electrical current allows to activate their trophic function. Thus, the cutaneous electrical stimulation does not cause the necessary level of irritation of the neurons due to the fact that the skin is a barrier to electrical current, which reduces its impact in 200-500 times. The intratissual electrical stimulation allows to solve the problem by supplying the needle-electrode much closer to the «target¼. The proposed method of intratissual electrical stimulation has shown its advantage over cutaneous electrical stimulation, significantly reducing the duration of the restorative treatment and increasing its qualitative indicators.

A new modular neuroprosthesis suitable for hybrid FES-robot applications and tailored assistance.

BACKGROUND: To overcome the application limitations of functional electrical stimulation (FES), such as fatigue or nonlinear muscle response, the combination of neuroprosthetic systems with robotic devices has been evaluated, resulting in hybrid systems that have promising potential. However, current technology shows a lack of flexibility to adapt to the needs of any application, context or individual. The main objective of this study is the development of a new modular neuroprosthetic system suitable for hybrid FES-robot applications to meet these needs. METHODS: In this study, we conducted an analysis of the requirements for developing hybrid FES-robot systems and reviewed existing literature on similar systems. Building upon these insights, we developed a novel modular neuroprosthetic system tailored for hybrid applications. The system was specifically adapted for gait assistance, and a technological personalization process based on clinical criteria was devised. This process was used to generate different system configurations adjusted to four individuals with spinal cord injury or stroke. The effect of each system configuration on gait kinematic metrics was analyzed by using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's test. RESULTS: A modular NP system has been developed that is distinguished by its flexibility, scalability and personalization capabilities. With excellent connection characteristics, it can be effectively integrated with robotic devices. Its 3D design facilitates fitting both as a stand-alone system and in combination with other robotic devices. In addition, it meets rigorous requirements for safe use by incorporating appropriate safety protocols, and features appropriate battery autonomy, weight and dimensions. Different technological configurations adapted to the needs of each patient were obtained, which demonstrated an impact on the kinematic gait pattern comparable to that of other devices reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The system met the identified technical requirements, showcasing advancements compared to systems reported in the literature. In addition, it demonstrated its versatility and capacity to be combined with robotic devices forming hybrids, adapting well to the gait application. Moreover, the personalization procedure proved to be useful in obtaining various system configurations tailored to the diverse needs of individuals.

Continuous muscle pump activation by neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve in the treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers: A position paper.

The standard treatment for patients with confirmed Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs) is compression therapy to improve the function of the calf muscle pump. There is a significant cohort of patients who are unable to tolerate optimal compression therapy or indeed any level of compression therapy. In addition, there is a cohort of patients who can tolerate compression whose ulcers show little or no evidence of healing. There is a need for ways to further improve calf muscle pump function and to improve venous ulcer healing in these patients. Published data were reviewed on the use of Muscle Pump Activation (MPA) using common peroneal nerve neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to improve calf muscle pump function. There is physiological evidence that MPA can improve calf muscle pump function and venous return in both control subjects and in patients with venous disease. The use of MPA has also been shown to improve venous flow volume and venous flow velocity on ultrasound scanning in patients with venous disease. MPA has been shown to improve microcirculation in the skin using Laser Doppler and laser Doppler Speckle Contrast Imaging, in both normal subjects as well as in patients with venous disease and VLU. A recent randomized controlled trial of MPA plus compression therapy compared with compression therapy alone, found significantly faster rates of healing with the use of MPA in addition to compression therapy. There are indications for the use of MPA as an adjunctive treatment to enhance calf muscle pump function in patients with VLU: who cannot tolerate compression therapy who can only tolerate suboptimal, low-level compression whose ulcer healing remains slow or stalled with optimal compression.

Tremor Suppression Using Functional Electrical Stimulation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor are two major causes of pathological tremor among people over 60 years old. Due to the side effects and complications of traditional tremor management methods such as medication and deep brain surgery, non invasive tremor suppression methods have become more popular in recent years. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is one of the methods used to reduce tremor in several studies. However, the effect of different FES parameters on tremor suppression and discomfort level, including amplitude, the number of pulses in each stimulation burst, frequency, and pulse width is yet to be studied for longer stimulation durations. Therefore, in this work, experiments were performed on 14 participants with PD to evaluate the effect of thirty seconds of out-of-phase electrical stimulation on wrist tremor at rest. Trials were conducted by varying the stimulation amplitude and the number of pulses while keeping the frequency and pulse width constant. Each test was repeated three times for each participant. The results showed an overall tremor suppression for 11 out of 14 participants and no average positive effects for three participants. It is concluded that despite the effectiveness of FES in tremor suppression, each set of FES parameters showed different suppression levels among participants due to the variability of tremor over time. Thus, for this method to be effective, an adaptive control system would be required to tune FES parameters in real time according to changes in tremor during extended stimulation periods.

[A review of functional electrical stimulation based on brain-computer interface].

Individuals with motor dysfunction caused by damage to the central nervous system are unable to transmit voluntary movement commands to their muscles, resulting in a reduced ability to control their limbs. However, traditional rehabilitation methods have problems such as long treatment cycles and high labor costs. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) based on brain-computer interface (BCI) connects the patient's intentions with muscle contraction, and helps to promote the reconstruction of nerve function by recognizing nerve signals and stimulating the moving muscle group with electrical impulses to produce muscle convulsions or limb movements. It is an effective treatment for sequelae of neurological diseases such as stroke and spinal cord injury. This article reviewed the current research status of BCI-based FES from three aspects: BCI paradigms, FES parameters and rehabilitation efficacy, and looked forward to the future development trend of this technology, in order to improve the understanding of BCI-based FES.

Letter to the editor: "Effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis".

This letter provides feedback on the article Effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study highlights the clinical efficacy of electrical stimulation (ES) in enhancing fusion rates post-surgery. Future research should focus on identifying optimal ES parameters, long-term safety profiles, and its personalized application based on genetic and metabolic factors. Additionally, exploring the combination of ES with other regenerative therapies and evaluating its cost-effectiveness could further improve clinical outcomes.

Effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Electrical stimulation is an important adjuvant therapy for spinal surgery, but whether receiving electrical stimulation can improve the fusion rate after spinal surgery is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse and evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery. We systematically searched for related articles published in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases on or before September 30, 2023. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the fusion rates of the experimental group and the control group were calculated by a random-effects meta-analysis model. The analysis showed that receiving electrical stimulation significantly increased the probability of successful spinal fusion (OR 2.66 [95% CI 1.79-3.97]), and the average fusion rate of the electrical stimulation group (86.8%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (73.7%). The fusion rate in the direct current (DC) stimulation group was 2.33 times greater than that in the control group (OR 2.33 [95% CI 1.37-3.96]), and that in the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) group was 2.60 times greater than that in the control group (OR 2.60 [95% CI 1.29-5.27]). Similarly, the fusion rate in the capacitive coupling (CC) electrical stimulation group was 3.44 times greater than that in the control group (OR 3.44 [95% CI 1.75-6.75]), indicating that regardless of the type of electrical stimulation, the fusion rate after spinal surgery improved to a certain extent. Electrical stimulation as an adjuvant therapy seems to improve the fusion rate after spinal surgery to a certain extent, but the specific effectiveness of this therapy needs to be further studied.

Implications of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on gait ability, balance and kinematic parameters after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTIN: Improper gait patterns, impaired balance and foot drop consistently plague stroke survivors, preventing them from walking independently and safely. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) technology can help patients reactivate their muscles and regain motor coordination. This study aims to systematically review and summarize the evidence for the potential benefits of NMES on the improvement of gait patterns after stroke. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Science Direct and Web of Science were systematically searched until April 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials with the following criteria: stroke survivors as participants; NMES as intervention; conventional rehabilitation as a comparator; and gait assessment, through scales or quantitative parameters, as outcome measures. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: 29 publications involving 1711 patients met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed no significant differences in Ten-meter walk test, Fugl-Meyer assessment lower extremity, Modified Ashworth Assessment and asymmetry between the NMES group and the control group. Besides, NMES was associated with changes in outcome indicators such as quantitative gait analysis speed [SMD = 0.53, 95% CI (0.20, 0.85), P = 0.001], cadence [SMD = 0.76, 95% CI (0.32, 1.20), P = 0.0008], affected side step length [SMD = 0.73, 95% CI (0.16, 1.31), P = 0.01], angle of ankle dorsiflexion [WMD = 1.57, 95% CI (0.80, 2.33), P < 0.0001], Six-Minute Walk Test [WMD = 14.83, 95% CI (13.55, 16.11), P<0.00001]. According to the PEDro scale, 21 (72.4%) studies were of high quality and 8 were of moderate quality (27.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the review synthesis indicated that NMES might play a potential role in stroke-induced walking dysfunction. And NMES may be superior for survivors in the chronic phase than the acute and subacute phases, and the efficacy of short sessions received by patients was greater than that of those who participated in a longer session. Additionally, further comparisons of the effects of NMES with different types or stimulation frequencies may provide unexpected benefits.

Effects of adding electro-massage to manual therapy for the treatment of individuals with myofascial temporomandibular pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the addition of dynamic cervical electrical stimulation (electro-massage, ES) to manual therapy (MT), compared to MT by itself, in individuals with myofascial temporomandibular pain. METHODOLOGY: A total of 46 participants with bilateral myofascial temporomandibular pain for at least three months were distributed into two groups. Group 1 (n=21) received local MT consisting of soft tissue mobilization and release techniques over the neck and temporomandibular regions. Group 2 (n=25) received an ES procedure in the cervical region combined with the same intervention as group 1. All participants underwent a 2-week protocol. The primary outcomes were pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the masseter and upper trapezius muscles (algometer), and pain-free vertical mouth opening (manual gauge). The secondary outcome was active cervical range-of-movement. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at a 4-week follow-up. RESULTS: The ANOVA revealed significant changes over group*time, with better results for group 2 (large effect sizes) regarding pain intensity (p< 0.001; η2>0.14), pressure pain sensitivity and mouth opening (p<0.001; η2>0.14). Similar findings were observed for active cervical range-of-movement in all directions (p<0.001; η2>0.14), except rotation (p≥0.05). CONCLUSION: Electrical stimulation therapy over the cervical region combined with a MT protocol over the neck and temporomandibular joint shows better clinical benefits than MT by itself in subjects with myofascial temporomandibular pain. Registration code: NCT04098952.

Outcomes of sacral neuromodulation in male patients with overactive bladder, chronic pelvic pain, and fecal incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the growing body of literature on sacral neuromodulation (SNM) outcomes, research focusing on male patients remains limited and often represented by small cohorts nested within a larger study of mostly women. Herein, we evaluated the outcomes of SNM in a male-only cohort with overactive bladder (OAB), fecal incontinence (FI), chronic bladder pain, and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 64 male patients who underwent SNM insertion between 2013 and 2021 at a high-volume tertiary center. Indications for SNM therapy included OAB, FI, chronic pelvic pain, and NLUTD. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's and t-test were used in analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 57.7 ± 13.4 years, and the most frequent reason for SNM insertion was idiopathic OAB (72%), FI (16%), pelvic pain (11%), and NLUTD (11%). A majority (84%) of men received treatment prior to SNM insertion. 84% reported satisfaction and 92% symptom improvement within the first year, and these improvements persisted beyond 1 year in 73% of patients. Mean follow up was 52.7 ± 21.0 months. The complication rate was 23%, and the need for adjunct treatments was significantly reduced (73% to 27%, p < 0.001). Treatment outcomes did not differ significantly between various indications for SNM therapy or the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). CONCLUSION: SNM is an effective and safe procedure for male patients with neurogenic and non-neurogenic OAB, pelvic pain, and FI. Over 70% of patients experienced symptomatic improvement and remained satisfied in the mid to long term follow up. BPH does not seem to hinder treatment outcomes.

Synergistic effects of transcutaneous spinal stimulation and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower limb force production: Time to deliver.

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can facilitate self-assisted standing in individuals with paralysis. However, individual variability in responses to each modality may limit their effectiveness in generating the necessary leg extension force for full body weight standing. To address this challenge, we proposed combining TSS and NMES to enhance leg extensor muscle activation, with optimizing timing adjustment to maximize the interaction between the two modalities. METHODS: To assess the effects of TSS and NMES on knee extension and plantarflexion force, ten neurologically intact participants underwent three conditions: (1) TSS control, (2) NMES control, and (3) TSS + NMES. TSS was delivered between the T10 and L2 vertebrae, while NMES was delivered to the skin over the right knee extensors and plantarflexors. TSS and NMES were administered using a 15 Hz train of three 0.5 ms biphasic pulses. During the TSS + NMES condition, the timing between modalities was adjusted in increments of » the interval within a 15 Hz frequency, i.e., 66, 49.5, 33, 16.5, and 1 ms. RESULTS: NMES combined with TSS, produced synergistic effects even on non-targeted muscle groups, thereby promoting leg extension across multiple joints in the kinematic chain. The sequence of NMES or TSS trains relative to each other did not significantly impact motor output. Notably, a delay of 16.5 to 49.5 ms between interleaved TSS and NMES pulses, each delivered at 15 Hz, results in more robust and synergistic responses in knee extensors and plantarflexors. CONCLUSIONS: By adjusting the timing between TSS and NMES, we can optimize the combined use of these modalities for functional restoration. Our findings highlight the potential of integrated TSS and NMES protocols to enhance motor function, suggesting promising avenues for therapeutic applications, particularly in the rehabilitation of individuals with SCI.

Electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve: evaluating effects and potential starting points for optimization in vestibular implants.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Oscillopsia and unsteadiness are common and highly debilitating symptoms in individuals with bilateral vestibulopathy. A lack of adequate treatment options encouraged the investigation of vestibular implants, which aim to restore vestibular function with motion-modulated electrical stimulation. This review aims to outline the ocular and postural responses that can be evoked with electrical prosthetic stimulation of the semicircular canals and discuss potential approaches to further optimize evoked responses. Particular focus is given to the stimulation paradigm. RECENT FINDINGS: Feasibility studies in animals paved the way for vestibular implantation in human patients with bilateral vestibulopathy. Recent human trials demonstrated prosthetic electrical stimulation to partially restore vestibular reflexes, enhance dynamic visual acuity, and generate controlled postural responses. To further optimize prosthetic performance, studies predominantly targeted eye responses elicited by the vestibulo-ocular reflex, aiming to minimize misalignments and asymmetries while maximizing the response. Changes of stimulation parameters are shown to hold promise to increase prosthetic efficacy, together with surgical refinements and neuroplastic effects. SUMMARY: Optimization of the stimulation paradigm, in combination with a more precise electrode placement, holds great potential to enhance the clinical benefit of vestibular implants.

Five days of bed rest in young and old adults: Retainment of skeletal muscle mass with neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

The consequences of short-term disuse are well known, but effective countermeasures remain elusive. This study investigated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) during 5 days of bed rest on retaining lower limb muscle mass and muscle function in healthy young and old participants. One leg received NMES of the quadriceps muscle (3 × 30min/day) (NMES), and the other served as a control (CON). Isometric quadriceps strength (MVC), rate of force development (RFD), lower limb lean mass, and muscle thickness were assessed pre-and post-intervention. Muscle thickness remained unaltered with NMES in young and increased in old following bed rest, while it decreased in CON legs. In old participants, mid-thigh lean mass (MTLM) was preserved with NMES while decreased in CON legs. In the young, only a tendency to change with bed rest was detected for MTLM. MVC and early-phase RFD decreased in young and old, irrespective of NMES. In contrast, late-phase RFD was retained in young participants with NMES, while it decreased in young CON legs, and in the old, irrespective of NMES. NMES during short-term bed rest preserved muscle thickness but not maximal muscle strength. While young and old adults demonstrated similar adaptive responses in preventing the loss of skeletal muscle thickness, RFD was retained in the young only.

The MuscleSCS Technique (4-8Hz BurstDRTM Octrode™): A Randomized Clinical Study of MuscleSCS Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Back Pain.

BACKGROUND: MuscleSCS is a new technique that combines spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with muscle stimulation to relieve pain. OBJECTIVES: In this clinical study, we wanted to use rod electrodes to investigate the MuscleSCS method's effectiveness in the treatment of chronic lower back pain. One of our hypotheses was that the combined use of MuscleSCS and BurstDRTM would further improve the treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, single-center, single-blinded, randomized crossover study. SETTING: A university medical center. METHODS: Patients with chronic lower back pain had previously (one to 10 years ago) received an SCS system (Octrode™). In this study, they were randomly treated for 2 weeks each with BurstDRTM stimulation alone, MuscleSCS stimulation alone, or a combination of BurstDRTM stimulation and MuscleSCS stimulation. Thereafter, the patients were treated for another 6 weeks with one of the 3 methods (crossover possible). Pain ratings on the visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded and compared. A Pain Disability Index (PDI) questionnaire was used at the baseline and at 3 months. RESULTS: We included 24 patients in this study (11 women, mean age 62.3 yrs.) The values of the second week of the stimulation were the only ones used for the calculations. The first week of the stimulation was used as a wash-out period.The combined application of BurstDRTM and MuscleSCS stimulation was associated with the best results (P = 0.032). PDI scores did not improve during this treatment. No serious adverse events occurred during this study. Seventy-one and a half percent of the patients experienced an improvement in their pain as a result of the additional MuscleSCS stimulation. LIMITATIONS: In this study, only one fixed contact setting (3 & 4) was used to ensure uniform conditions for all patients and the ability to compare the different treatment modes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the combined application of SCS (BurstDRTM) and additional MuscleSCS stimulation using a rod electrode could significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from chronic back pain.

Benefits of home-based foot neuromuscular electrical stimulation on self-reported function, leg pain and other leg symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: a sham-controlled randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Lower leg pain and symptoms, and poor leg circulation are common in older adults. These can significantly affect their function and quality of life. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied via the feet as 'foot NMES' activates the leg musculovenous pump. This study investigated the effects of foot NMES administered at home using Revitive® among community-dwelling older adults with lower leg pain and/or other lower leg symptoms such as cramps, or sensations of tired, aching, and heavy feeling legs. METHODS: A randomised placebo-controlled study with three groups (2 NMES, 1 Sham) and three assessments (baseline, week 8, week 12 follow-up) was carried out. Self-reported function using Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), leg pain, overall leg symptoms score (heaviness, tiredness, aching, or cramps), and ankle blood flow were assessed. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic regression were used to compare the groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 (two-sided 5%). RESULTS: Out of 129 participants enrolled, 114 completed the study. The improvement in all outcomes were statistically significant for the NMES interventions compared to Sham at both week 8 (p < 0.01) and week 12 (p < 0.05). The improvement in COPM met the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the NMES interventions compared to Sham at both week 8 (p < 0.005) and week 12 (p < 0.05). Improvement in leg pain met MCID at week 8 compared to Sham (p < 0.05). Ankle blood flow increased approximately 3-fold during treatment compared to Sham. Compliance with the interventions was high and no device-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The home-based foot NMES is safe, and significantly improved self-reported function, leg pain and overall leg symptoms, and increased ankle blood flow compared to a Sham among older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was prospectively registered in ISRCTN on 17/06/2019 with registration number ISRCTN10576209. It can be accessed at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10576209 .

Third-Line Therapeutic Interventions for Non-Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction in Children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to review considerations and efficacy of third-line treatments for pediatric non-neurogenic bladder dysfunction, including Botulinum toxin A (BoTNA), Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS), and Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM). RECENT FINDINGS: Federal Drug Administration approval for use of beta-3-agonists in overactive detrusor activity in pediatric patients may provide an additional step prior to third-line therapies. New long-term data on pediatric SNM efficacy, complications, and revision rates will provide valuable information for counseling families. BoTNA offers a safe and efficacious treatment to decrease detrusor contractility and improve bladder capacity but is limited by the half-life of BoNTA agent. Percutaneous or transcutaneous PTNS offers improved voided volumes or cure in some patients but is time-intensive. SNM can be utilized in a variety of LUTD pathology with high success rate and cure but should consider cumulative anesthetic and fluoroscopic exposures for battery replacements and re-positioning for patient growth.