Open Access

HOW I DO IT

How I Do It: Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation TENSI+ system

Jean-Nicolas Cornu¹, Hashim Hashim², Frank Van Der Aa³, Cosimo De Nunzio⁴, Valentina Garcia Perez⁵, Roseanne Ferreira⁶, Dean S. Elterman⁶

1 Department of Urology, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
2 Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
3 Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
4 Department of Urology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
5 Department of Medicine, University of the Andes, Bogota, Colombia
6 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address correspondence to Dr. Dean S. Elterman, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, MP-8-317, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8 Canada

Canadian Journal of Urology 2023, 30(6), 11756-11761.

Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL), well being and daily functioning for both men and women. Among various treatments, peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) emerges as an effective third-line treatment for OAB symptoms, with options for either a percutaneous approach (P-PTNS) or by transcutaneous delivery (T-PTNS). Recent studies have shown negligible differences between P-PTNS and T-PTNS efficacy in alleviating urinary urgency and frequency and QoL improvement and, overall no difference in efficacy over antimuscarinic regimens. The TENSI+ system offers a cutting-edge transcutaneous approach, allowing patients to self-administer treatment conveniently at home with electrical stimulation delivery through surface electrodes. It stands out for its ease of preparation, tolerability, and high levels of patient satisfaction. Prospective multicentric data highlights TENSI+ to be an effective and safe treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms with high treatment adherence at 3 months. This paper aims to familiarize readers with the TENSI+ system, current studies, device assembly, operation, and treatment recommendations.

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