Laser and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Importance Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is considered the first option as a conservative treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, there is still debate whether energy-based devices are effective for treating SUI. Objective The objective of this study was to assess whether PFMT and fractional CO2 laser therapy may improve symptoms in women with SUI. Study Design A parallel, randomized, nonblinded, noninferiority trial included 94 of 144 women 18 years or older with SUI randomized into 2 groups. The CO2 laser group (n = 47) received 3 vaginal applications at monthly intervals. The PFMT group (n = 47) underwent 2 weekly sessions. Primary outcome was the mean difference of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Urinary Incontinence Short-Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) total scores between groups after 3 and 6 months. Main secondary outcomes were questionnaires for assessment of pelvic floor symptoms (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire—Short Form 7 [PFIQ-7]), sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), and improvement after treatment (Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI-I]). Results A reduction in the ICIQ-UI-SF total score, PFIQ total score, and the Urinary Impact Questionnaire score was perceived between baseline and 3–6 months in both groups. CO2 laser did not reach the noninferiority margin when compared with PFMT in both follow-up periods and analyses. Pelvic floor muscle training has improved the FSFI desire domain between baseline and 3–6 months, whereas CO2 laser improved the FSFI orgasm, pain, and total score after 3 months and FSFI orgasm and total score after 6 months. PGI-I assessment has shown an improvement in both groups. Conclusion Fractional CO2 laser therapy was noninferior to PFMT after 3–6 months of treatment. Both groups presented a reduction in the ICIQ-UI-SF scores, and both methods could be considered for women with SUI.