Alarm Therapy and Its Efficacy in Nocturnal Enuresis Management

Authors

Christopher A. Perkins, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Pediatrics

Advisor

T. Colletti, E. Watkins

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review the effectiveness of alarm therapy on treating primary, monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis in children. Method: A PubMed and Ovid literature search was conducted with search terms alarm therapy, alarm intervention, nocturnal enuresis, and bedwetting. Twelve pertinent articles published within the past 5 years were retrieved and served as the basis for this clinical review. Results: There is evidence showing that alarm therapy is more effective than no treatment at all, but little evidence to strongly support that alarm therapy is more effective than other therapeutic agents, particularly desmopressin. Conclusion: Alarm therapy is a first-line treatment option for nocturnal enuresis after behavioral interventions have failed. Previous studies had shown that alarm therapy was more effective in treatment than desmopressin—another first-line agent. However, recent data show little evidence to support whether alarm therapy is more effective than desmopressin in treating nocturnal enuresis. Thus, further research is needed to determine the full therapeutic benefit of alarm therapy over other treatment options.

Recommended Citation

Perkins CA. Alarm Therapy and Its Efficacy in Nocturnal Enuresis Management. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(2).