Bed wetting solutions & remedies: Magnetic stimulation reduces bedwetting in adults, children

A new study suggests that using magnetic stimulation for chronic bed wetters can help reduce nighttime incontinence incidences in children and young adults.

The new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reveals that sacral root magnetic stimulation (rSMS) applied to the lower back can remedy bed wetting or nocturnal enuresis for those who suffer from it.

The study, led by researchers from Egypt's Assiut University Hospital, carried out an investigation on more than 30 patients who suffer from bed wetting. All participants were taking an antidepressant drug imipramine for more than three months with no results and continued to take the prescription for the duration of the study. They were divided into two groups and each were given either a real rSMS or a fake simulation using the same procedures and pieces of equipment, according to a report published in Eureka Alert. Each patient was given 10 sessions for over two weeks, and the magnetic simulator was placed on the sacral vertebrae found in the lower back.

"It seems likely that rSMS produced some of its effect in the present patients by a direct effect on bladder control," lead researcher Dr. Eman M. Khedr from Assiut University Hospital said via Medical Xpress. "In the present study rSMS could have increased arousal or enhanced inhibition of neuronal re-uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin. We have previously reported that patients with nocturnal enuresis have pathologically increased excitability and reduced inhibitory processing in the motor cortex and it is possible that rSMS could affect these measures as well."

For the results, there was an average of 5.7 bed wetting incidences per week. After the treatment session, it lowered to 0.3 per week in the rSMS group. As for the simulated rSMS group, the numbers only decreased to 1.8.

According to Science Daily, the real rSMS group continued to experience the effects of the treatment after one month, while the other group returned to having 5.2 incidences per week. The simulated group's improvement was thought to be only because of placebo effect.

According to the website, the participants completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a health survey to measure their physical health, mental well-being in eight health domains and the effect of bed wetting in their lives. For those who had the real treatment, they fared better mentally and socially compared to the other group.