Benchmarking TENS mini for Neuromodulation via Tibial Nerve Stimulation

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a prevalent chronic condition that greatly affects patient quality of life. Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) has recently been proven to be a safe and effective non-invasive treatment modality for OAB. However, existing electrical stimulators are relatively large, relying on adhesive hydrogel electrodes, and may require professional assistance, which could hinder patient adherence and treatment consistency. To address these, a compact and wearable electrical stimulator (TENS mini ) with integrated textile electrodes was developed. Although laboratory tests confirmed its safety, the therapeutic efficacy remains under-explored. The present benchmarking study evaluated the short-term feasibility of the TENS mini for bladder function modulation against a clinically-approved device. A total of 47 healthy participants were pseudo-randomly assigned to three groups: TENS mini , a clinical-grade stimulator (DS7A), or Sham to receive TTNS. The results indicated that TENS mini achieved inhibitory effects on bladder micturition reflexes comparable to those of DS7A. Both active TTNS groups demonstrated significant differences from the placebo group. These findings suggest that TENS mini would be a viable alternative for the management of OAB. Future studies would focus on evaluating their long-term therapeutic effectiveness, usability, and impact on patient adherence in clinical trials.