Perspectives on the Therapeutic Effects of Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Pelvic, perineal, and nervous lesions, which derive principally from pregnancy and childbirth, may lead to pelvic floor dysfunctions, such as organ prolapses and lesions in the nerves and muscles due to muscle expansion and physiology. It is estimated that 70% of women affected by this clinical picture have symptoms that do not respond to the classical treatments with antimuscarinic and anticholinergic drugs. Therefore, resorting to efficient alternatives and less invasive methods is necessary to assist this public health problem that predominantly affects the female population, which is more susceptible to the risk factors. This study aimed to perform an updated and comprehensive literature review focused on the effects of pelvic floor electrical stimulation, considering new perspectives such as a correlation between electric current and site of intervention and other molecular aspects, different from the present reviews that predominantly evaluate urodynamic aspects. For that purpose, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to perform the search, and the Methodi ordinatio method was applied. With well-researched therapeutic effects, electrical stimulation induced promising results in histological, nervous, and molecular evaluations and spinal processes, which showed beneficial results and revealed new perspectives on ways to evoke responses in the lower urinary tract in a non-invasive way. Thus, it is possible to conclude that this type of intervention may be a non-invasive alternative to treat pelvic and perineal dysfunctions.

Maturity Models for Testing and Calibration Laboratories: A Systematic Literature Review

“…To facilitate the visualization of the articles that were excluded during the fi steps, the PRISMA flow diagram [27] (Figure 2) was used. The Methodi Ordinatio is the subject of various publications across many journals, consolidating itself as a process for reviewing knowledge according to delimitations, perceptions of themes and the motivations of researchers and citing the work of Regatieri et al [28], Sarmento et al [29], Sierdovski et al [30], Zahaikevitch et al [31] Cerqueira-Streit et al [32], Thesari et al [33], Lizot et al [34], Buss et al [35], Solis et al [36], Souza et al [37], Bail et al [38] and Soares et al [39].…”

Biophysical Mechanisms of Vaginal Smooth Muscle Contraction: The Role of the Membrane Potential and Ion Channels

“…The mean velocity for the human VSM cell is mentioned as 4.3 cm/s. Recent studies have explored the therapeutic potential of electrical stimulation for pelvic floor rehabilitation, indicating its predictive role in enhancing muscle contraction force and detrusor function [ 66 ]. Moreover, advancements in non-invasive techniques for measuring electrical signals in uterine smooth muscle have contributed to a deeper understanding of the role of electrical activity in reproductive physiology [ 67 ].…”

Biophysical Mechanisms of Vaginal Smooth Muscle Contraction: Role of the Membrane Potential and Ion Channels

“…Recent studies have explored the therapeutic potential of electrical stimulation for pelvic floor rehabilitation, indicating its predictive role in enhancing muscle contraction force and detrusor function [54]. Moreover, advancements in non-invasive techniques for measuring electrical signals in uterine smooth muscle have contributed to a deeper understanding of the role of electrical activity in reproductive physiology [55].…”