Efficacy Of Interferential Electrical Simulation Versus Para-Sacral Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation In Management Of Nocturnal Enuresis

Background: Enuresis is a common childhood health problem affecting the quality of life of the child and his or her family. We have evaluated the efficacy of interferential (IF) electrical stimulation and Para-Sacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) in children with nocturnal enuresis (NE). Objective: To study the effect of the interferential electrical simulation versus the effect of Para-sacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation in children with nocturnal enuresis. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial in which 45 children, aged 6–18 years with NE were recruited and randomly divided into three groups. Children in the control group received standard urotherapy only (hydration, scheduled voiding, toilet training, diet), whereas children in the IF group underwent standard urotherapy + 12 sessions of IF electrical stimulation for 20 min three time per week and the children in the third group were treated with 12 session of Para-Sacral TENS. After the completion of the treatment program, the improvement score was calculated to identify relative decrease in wet nights for each child. All children were followed for one week before and after treatment. Results: In interferential electrical stimulation (IF) group, complete response was observed in 66.7%, partial response in 20% and13.3 % had no response. In Para-sacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) group, full response was observed in 53.3%, partial response in 26.7% and 20% had no response. In control group, full response was observed in 13.3%, partial response in 6.7% and 80% had no response. Significant reduction in mean of number of wet nights before and after treatment was seen in interferential electrical stimulation (IF) and Para-sacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) group (from 5.80 ±1.47 and 6.20 ± 1.52 to 0.73 ± 1.22 and 1.33 ± 1.75) respectively, P= 0.000. Conclusion: Interferential electrical stimulation (IF) and Para-sacral transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) were effective in reducing the number of wet nights without causing any side effects.