Efficacy of General Magnetic Therapy and Motor-Evoked Potential-Guided Precision Magnetic Therapy in Patients with Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims/Background Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent chronic condition affecting approximately 12% of adults, with incidence increasing with age. While pharmacological and behavioural therapies are standard treatments, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and poor adherence. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of precision magnetic stimulation guided by motor-evoked potential with general magnetic therapy in patients with OAB. Methods This randomized controlled trial included 45 patients diagnosed with OAB at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University between January 2022 and September 2022. Participants were randomly divided into Group 1 (n = 15) which received bladder training (BT) alone, Group 2 (n = 15) received BT combined with general magnetic therapy, and Group 3 (n = 15) received BT combined with precision magnetic therapy. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), urination diaries, initial bladder volume, and maximum bladder volume before and after treatment. Results At the end of the intervention, Groups 2 and 3 demonstrated significant improvements in OABSS scores, urgency of urination, initial bladder volume, and maximum bladder volume compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05). Group 3 exhibited superior urination frequency and initial bladder volume improvements compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05). Conclusion General magnetic therapy combined with BT and precision magnetic therapy combined with BT were more effective than BT alone in treating OAB. While there were no significant differences between the two magnetic stimulation methods in terms of OABSS scores, urgent urination, nocturnal urination, or maximum bladder volume, precision magnetic therapy showed greater efficacy in reducing urination frequency and improving initial bladder volume. These findings suggest that precision magnetic therapy offers an enhanced therapeutic benefit. Clinical Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400087888).