Long Term Genital Nerve Stimulation to Improve Urinary Continence
Bladder spasms after spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in incontinence, urinary tract infections, kidney damage, trigger dangerous increases in blood pressure and decrease independence and quality of life. The investigators' long-term goal is to develop and provide a bladder pacemaker able to restore bladder continence for Veterans with SCI. Electrical stimulation of sensory nerves can stop bladder spasms during a doctor visit. However, this approach has not been tested during long term home use. This proposal will 1) determine how well sensory stimulation reduces incontinence and improves quality of life for Veterans with SCI during 1 year of home use, and 2) produce an effective take home system that can be used by more Veterans and other VAs.
• Suprasacral neurogenic bladder following spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis
• Neurologically stable
• Skeletally mature, over 18 years of age.
• Reflex bladder contractions confirmed by cystometrogram
• At least six (6) months post spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis diagnosis
• Able to understand and comply with study requirements
• Able to understand and give informed consent