Long-term results of a clinical trial comparing isolated vaginal stimulation with combined treatment for women with stress incontinence

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of stress urinary incontinence treatments adding pelvic floor muscle training to vaginal electrical stimulation.MethodsForty-eight women with stress urinary incontinence were randomized into 2 groups: 24 underwent isolated vaginal electrical stimulation, and 24 vaginal electrical stimulation plus pelvic floor muscle training. History, physical examination, voiding diary, perineum strength test, and urodynamic study were assessed. Comparisons were made for adherence to treatment, muscle strength improvement, urinary symptoms, and degree of satisfaction immediately, 12 and 96 months after treatment.ResultsPatients' degree of satisfaction on vaginal electrical stimulation, and on vaginal electrical stimulation plus pelvic floor muscle training immediately, 12 and 96 months post treatment, were, respectively: 88.2% versus 88.9% 64.7% versus 61.1% and 42.9% versus 28.6% (p>0.05).ConclusionVaginal electrical stimulation associated to pelvic floor muscle training did not show better results than vaginal electrical stimulation alone.

Urinary Incontinence in Women: Modern Methods of Physiotherapy as a Support for Surgical Treatment or Independent Therapy

“…Sometimes it will be necessary to use palpation or apparatus techniques, but without PFM activation, the implementation of training programs will be ineffective. Electrical stimulation [59,[95][96][97][98][99][100][101] and biofeedback [57,75,78] can be used in addition to PFMT or to help women to initiate a contraction and improve therapeutic effects (level of evidence: 2). In such cases, it is a preferable activation of PFM to fully use the potential of the female pelvic floor.…”

“…After 6 months from the end of therapy, nearly 73% of the examined patients reported an improvement in continence [98]. The long-term effect of electrostimulation has also been studied by Fürst et al [99]. After 3 months, a significant increase in the time between voids was observed in the examined patients [from 2.24 ± 1.09 to 3.35 ± 0.86 h (p < 0.0001)]; similar differences were, however, not observed after 96 months [99].…”

“…The long-term effect of electrostimulation has also been studied by Fürst et al [99]. After 3 months, a significant increase in the time between voids was observed in the examined patients [from 2.24 ± 1.09 to 3.35 ± 0.86 h (p < 0.0001)]; similar differences were, however, not observed after 96 months [99]. A detailed description of the studies included in the review is presented in Table 3.…”

A Comparative Study on the Effects of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Electrostimulation for the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Muscles and Urinary Incontinence in Parous Women: Analysis of Posttreatment Data

“…Based on the long-term observation of treatment outcomes after magnetic and electrical stimulation, it is assumed that beneficial effect of induced PFM strengthening may be sustained up to 1 year. 14 , 35 However, after this period of time, the relapse may occur and maintenance session should be considered in some patients.…”

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre o tratamento fisioterápico da incontinência urinária de esforço entre gestantes e puérperas atendidas na rede pública de saúde do município de Patrocínio-MG

“…26,27 Fürst e colaboradores 28 demonstraram que a eletroestimulação endovaginal utilizada de forma isolada apresentou resultados semelhantes no que diz respeito às queixas de IUE quando comparada com a associação da mesma ao treinamento da musculatura do assoalho pélvico, que representa a primeira linha de tratamento conservador.…”