The development and use of the bedwetting alarm for nocturnal enuresis

Abstract

Since 1904 bedwetting alarms have been developed and scientifically described for the treatment of nocturnal enuresis, also known as bedwetting. Currently, several bedwetting alarms of various designs are available on the overseas market. These can be imported to South Africa at great cost. As affordable alarms were not readily available in South Africa, there was a need to develop and evaluate a new unit. In order to improve the efficacy of this new device, it was accompanied by detailed user guidelines and instructions. The use of this alarm was tested and the observations of thirteen bedwetting children recorded. Additionally, a programme was developed to counsel enuretic children with accompanying problems, and to assist the parents in dealing with their child's bedwetting problem. The observations and findings will be useful in practice and future research.