Back to 2011 Program

Introduction: The Sustained Therapeutic Effects of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (STEP) Study evaluates long term therapy effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for OAB. The Objective of this review is to evaluate the treatment interval frequency through 18 months of sustained therapy.
Methods: Following treatment success after 12 weekly PTNS treatments, subjects were on a set tapering protocol of PTNS for 3 months and then received ongoing therapy on a Personal Treatment Plan as determined by the investigator and subject to maintain sustained improvement in the subject's OAB symptoms. Questionnaires were completed every 3 months and voiding diaries were completed every 6 months.
Results: Of the PTNS subjects eligible to continue into the STEP Study, 52/60 (87%) were enrolled. The mean treatments/month by follow-up intervals were: 1.9 (3-6 months), 1.3 (6-9 months), 1.2 (9-12 months), 1.2 (12-15 months) and 1.1 (15-18 months). Median treatments/month were: 1.8 (3-6 months), and 1.1 (6-9, 9-12, 12-15, 15-18 months). All OAB-q domains and voiding diary parameters at 6, 12, and 18 months were significant for improvement compared to baseline for frequency, incontinence episodes, nighttime voids and moderate to severe urgency episodes (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Sustained significant efficacy of PTNS was demonstrated over 18 months with a mean and median of 1.1 treatments/month following initial success after twelve 30-minute weekly treatments.