Improving the quality of sleep of women with nocturia with non-pharmacological treatments

This study aimed to investigate tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) or pelvic floor training (PFT) as treatments for nocturia. This study found that TNS or PFT were both effective in improving the quality of sleep of women with nocturia.

Nocturia is the urge to urinate at night. Two non-pharmacological treatments for this include pelvic floor training (PFT) or tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). TNS works by indirectly providing electrical stimulation to the nerves responsible for bladder function. PFT involves repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor.

It is unclear which method is more effective to improve the quality of sleep of women with this condition.

This study included 40 women with nocturia. They had either TNS or PFT.  Both groups were followed for 12 weeks, with one session/week. Their nocturia was evaluated through questionnaires.

60% of patients in the TNS group have reduced the time they woke up during the night. 70% of women in the PFT group have reduced their awakening during the night. Both groups showed improvements in the quality of sleep. No side effects of treatments were reported in either group.

This study found that TNS and PFT were equally able to improve the quality of sleep of women with nocturia.

This study included a very small number of participants and had a short follow-up period. Larger studies are needed.