Which combination is most effective in women with idiopathic overactive bladder, including bladder training, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation? A prospective randomized controlled trial

The AUA/SUFU guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder

PURPOSE

The purpose of this guideline is to provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians of all specialties on the evaluation, management, and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). The guideline informs the reader on valid diagnostic processes and provides an approach to selecting treatment options for patients with OAB through the shared decision-making process, which will maximize symptom control and quality of life, while minimizing adverse events and burden of disease.

METHODS

An electronic search employing OVID was used to systematically search the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, as well as the Cochrane Library, for systematic reviews and primary studies evaluating diagnosis and treatment of OAB from January 2013 to November 2023. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies were based on the Key Questions and the populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing, types of studies and settings (PICOTS) of interest. Following the study selection process, 159 studies were included and were used to inform evidence-based recommendation statements.

RESULTS

This guideline produced 33 statements that cover the evaluation and diagnosis of the patient with symptoms suggestive of OAB; the treatment options for patients with OAB, including Noninvasive therapies, pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive therapies, invasive therapies, and indwelling catheters; and the management of patients with BPH and OAB.

CONCLUSION

Once the diagnosis of OAB is made, the clinician and the patient with OAB have a variety of treatment options to choose from and should, through shared decision-making, formulate a personalized treatment approach taking into account evidence-based recommendations as well as patient values and preferences.

Isolated bladder training or in combination with other therapies to improve overactive bladder symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Bladder training (BT), the maintenance of a scheduled voiding regime at gradually adjusted intervals, is a common treatment for overactive bladder (OAB).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of isolated BT and/or in combination with other therapies on OAB symptoms.

METHODS

A systematic review of eight databases was conducted. After screening titles and abstracts, full texts were retrieved. Cochrane RoB 2 and the GRADE approach were used.

RESULTS

Fourteen RCTs were included: they studied isolated BT (n = 11), BT plus drug treatment (DT; n = 5), BT plus intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES; n = 2), BT plus biofeedback and IVES (n = 1), BT plus pelvic floor muscle training and behavioral therapy (n = 2), BT plus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, and BT plus transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (n = 1). In a meta-analysis of short-term follow-up data, BT plus IVES resulted in greater improvement in nocturia (mean difference [MD]: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.20), urinary incontinence (UI; MD: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.55), and quality of life (QoL; MD: 4.87, 95% CI: 2.24, 7.50) than isolated BT, while DT and BT improved UI (MD: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.92) more than isolated BT.

CONCLUSION

In the short term, BT plus IVES improves the OAB symptoms of nocturia and UI while improving QoL. The limited number of RCTs and heterogeneity among them provide a low level of evidence, making the effect of BT on OAB inconclusive, which suggests that new RCTs should be performed.

Effects of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Women Refractory to and Never Used Pharmacological Agents for Idiopathic Overactive Bladder

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) on quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters related to incontinence in pharmacological agents (PhAs) naive and refractory women with idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB).

METHODS

In this prospective nonrandomized clinical trial, women with resistance to PhAs were included in the first group (n=21), PhA-naive women were included in the second group (n=21). TTNS was performed 2 days a week, a total of 12 sessions for 6 weeks. Every session lasted 30 min. Women were evaluated for the severity of incontinence (Pad test), 3-day voiding diary (voiding frequency, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and number of pads), symptom severity (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-V8), quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7), treatment satisfaction, positive response, and cure-improvement rates.

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters for each group at the 6th week compared with the baseline values (p<0.05). It was found that the severity of incontinence, incontinence episodes, symptom severity, treatment satisfaction, and QoL parameters were significantly improved in PhA-naive group compared with the PhA-resistant group at the 6th week (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of voiding, nocturia, and number of pads between the two groups (p>0.05). Positive response rates, the primary outcome measure, were statistically significantly higher in the PhA-naive group than in the PhA-resistant group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although TTNS is more effective in PhA-naive women with iOAB, it appears to be an effective therapy that can also be used in the management of PhA-resistant women with iOAB.

Comparative Efficacy of Neuromodulation Technologies for Overactive Bladder in Adults: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative efficacy of neuromodulation technologies for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in adults.

DATA SOURCES

A computerized search was conducted of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, CNKI, Wan Fang Data, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to April 21, 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

The search selected clinical trials with random allocation to percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), vaginal electrical stimulation (VES), sacral neuromodulation (SNM), parasacral stimulation (PS), pudendal neuromodulation, or placebo.

DATA EXTRACTION

The main outcomes were the voiding diary, OAB-related quality of life, and positive response rate. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) was used to assess the risk of bias of each included study, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool was used to evaluate the overall evidence quality of key outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The study included 21 randomized controlled trials involving 1433 participants, and all trials were used for the meta-analysis. In the network meta-analyses, five of six neuromodulation technologies, including PTNS, TTNS, VES, SNM, and PS, were related to higher efficacy than the placebo. Ranking probability showed that SNM was the most efficacious therapy for improving OAB-related quality of life, urinary episodes, and urinary frequency. For urgency incontinence episodes and the number of pads, PTNS and TTNS were the most efficacious modalities, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Neuromodulation technologies, including PTNS, TTNS, VES, SNM, and PS, may be effective and safe solutions for OAB syndrome in adults. Moreover, SNM is the most efficacious regimen for OAB-related quality of life, urinary episodes, and urinary frequency. PTNS and TTNS are the most efficacious modalities for reducing urgency incontinence episodes and the number of pads, respectively. Future studies should pay more attention to the quality of study design and report, patients who may benefit the most from neuromodulation, and the long-term effect, cost-effectiveness, and satisfaction of neuromodulation.

Progress in overactive bladder: novel avenues from psychology to clinical opinions

Rationale

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common, distressing condition that worsens with age and impacts quality of life significantly. As a results of its clinical symptoms, patients suffer from serious physical and mental health issues, have a poor quality of life, and participate in a serious economic burden. The key social-psychological factors include living habits, eating habits, and personality characteristics on this disease, even though the pathogenesis of OAB is complex. However, there is few cognitions and research on OAB in the field of psychology.

Methods/Search Strategy

Between 2000 and 2022, two electronic databases were systematically searched in accordance with Cochrane library guidelines (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science). An analysis of the remaining articles with relevant information was conducted using a data extraction sheet. An itemized flow diagram was adopted and used to report systematic reviews and meta-analysis. A systematic review of studies published from 2000 to 2022 in English language were conducted and included in the review.

The intended audience

Urological surgeon and psychologists majoring in urinary diseases.

Implication

As a result of this information, we are able to develop a better understanding of the role of psychological factors in the development of OAB and suggest potential therapeutic directions for OAB patients. This may benefit the recovery of OAB patients.

Efficacy and safety of vaginal electrical stimulation as an alternative or adjunct treatment for overactive bladder syndrome in women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vaginal electrical stimulation (VES) as an alternative or adjunct treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in women.

METHODS

Five English-language databases and four Chinese-language databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies comparing VES (VES alone or VES plus other interventions) with other interventions (medicines, bladder training, or PFMT) were included. Voiding diary, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events were extracted from the included studies for comparison.

RESULTS

Seven trials with 601 patients in total were reviewed. The results showed that when compared with other interventions, VES alone significantly improved urgency episodes (p = 0.0008) and voiding frequency (p = 0.01), but did not significantly reduce nocturia (p = 0.85), urinary incontinence episodes (p = 0.90) and number of pads (p = 0.87). When VES plus other interventions was compared with other interventions, the former significantly improved voiding frequency (p < 0.00001), nocturia (p < 0.00001), and number of pads (p = 0.03), but it did not significantly reduce urinary incontinence episodes (p = 0.24). Both VES alone (p < 0.00001) and VES plus other interventions (p = 0.003) showed significant benefit on QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that VES alone decreased urgency episodes and QoL better than other therapies. Although VES alone reduced voiding frequency better and VES plus other therapies decreased nocturia, number of pads, urgency episodes, and QoL better than other therapies, the results should be interpreted with caution for clinical practice because some of the RCTs included were of low quality and because of the small number of studies included.

Comparison of the efficacy of intravaginal electrical stimulation in women with idiopathic overactive bladder naive and refractory to pharmacological agents

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) with regard to quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters related to incontinence in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB) naive or refractory to treatment with pharmacological agents (PhA).

METHODS

In this prospective trial, PhA-naive women were included in Group 1 (n = 24) and women with PhA-resistant iOAB were included in Group 2 (n = 24). IVES was performed 3 days a week, with a total of 24 sessions for 8 weeks. Every session lasted 20 minutes. Women were evaluated for the severity of incontinence (24-hour pad test), pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength (perineometer), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and the number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), quality of life (IIQ-7), treatment success (positive response rate), cure/improvement rate, and treatment satisfaction.

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters for each group at the 8th week compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). At the 8th week, there were no statistically significant differences in the severity of incontinence, PFM strength, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads, QoL, treatment satisfaction, cure-improvement, or positive response rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). It was found that the frequency of voiding and symptom severity parameters were significantly more improved in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although IVES was more effective in PhA-naive women with iOAB, it also appears to be an effective treatment in the management of women with PhA-resistant iOAB.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under no. NCT05416450.

Analysis of the effectiveness of the application of pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise and the factors influencing its self-efficacy in postoperative patients with cervical cancer

Objective

To analyze the application effect of pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise in postoperative patients with cervical cancer and the factors influencing their self-efficacy.

Methods

120 postoperative patients with cervical cancer from January 2019 to January 2022 from the Department of Rehabilitation, Aeronautical Industry Flying Hospital, Bayi Orthopaedic Hospital and Southwest Medical University Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengdu Seventh People's Hospital, and the Department of Oncology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital were selected for the study. They were divided into routine group (n=44, applied routine care) and exercise group (n=76, applied routine care + pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise) according to the different perioperative care programs. The perioperative indicators, bladder function recovery rate and urinary retention incidence, urodynamic indicators, and pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) scores were compared between the 2 groups. The general data, PFDI-20 scores and broome pelvic muscle self-efficacy scale (BPMSES) scores of patients in the exercise group were investigated and analyzed individually to investigate the factors influencing the self-efficacy of patients with pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise after cervical cancer surgery.

Results

The time of first anal exhaust, urine tube retention and hospitalization after surgery were shorter in the exercise group than in the routine group (P<0.05). The bladder function grade I rate after surgery was more in the exercise group than in the routine group, and the urinary retention incidence was lower than that in the routine group (P<0.05). At 2 weeks after exercise, bladder compliance and bladder detrusor systolic pressure were higher in both groups than before exercise, and they were higher in the exercise group than in the routine group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in urethral closure pressure within and between the two groups (P>0.05). At 3 months after surgery, the PFDI-20 scores were higher in both groups than before surgery, and the exercise group was lower than the routine group (P<0.05).The BPMSES score for the exercise group was (103.33 ± 9.16). Marital status, residence and PFDI-20 scores were influential factors in the self-efficacy level of patients undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise after cervical cancer surgery (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Implementing pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise for postoperative patients with cervical cancer can speed up the recovery of pelvic organ function and reduce the occurrence of postoperative urinary retention. Marital status, residence and PFDI-20 scores were influential factors in the self-efficacy level of patients undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation exercise after cervical cancer surger, medical staff need to incorporate these clinical features to provide targeted nursing interventions to enhance patient compliance with training and improve postoperative survival quality.

Development and evaluation of a rehabilitation training compliance scale for patients with urinary incontinence

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence treatment includes conservative treatment, physical devices, medication, and surgery. Pelvic floor muscle training combined with bladder training is among the most effective, non-invasive, and economical ways to treat urinary incontinence, and compliance with training is essential in urinary incontinence treatment. Several instruments assess pelvic floor muscle training and bladder training. However, no tool has been found that assesses compliance with pelvic floor muscle training when combined with bladder training for urinary incontinence. This study aimed to develop a rehabilitation training compliance scale for patients with urinary incontinence and to evaluate its validity and reliability.

METHODS

This study was performed in two tertiary hospitals in Hainan, China between December 2020 and July 2021, 123 patients were included. A literature review, group discussions, and two rounds of letter consultations were performed to acquire the item pool and finalise the 12 items for this scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's α, split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity were used to examine the items in the scale.

RESULTS

A 12-item scale comprising three factors accounted for 85.99% of the variance in the data. The Cronbach's α, split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, and content validity index of the scale were 0.95, 0.89, 0.86, and 0.93, respectively. Comparison with the Chen pelvic floor muscle exercise self-efficacy scale showed high calibration correlation validity (coefficient = 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

The training compliance scale developed in this study is a valid and reliable measurement tool to assess pelvic floor muscle training and bladder training compliance in patients with urinary incontinence.

Efficacy of perineal electrical stimulation in men with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. A prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of perineal electrical stimulation (ES) on anxiety, depression, incontinence-related quality of life (QoL), and clinical parameters in men with urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODS

Fifty-eight men with UI after RP were randomized into two groups using the random numbers generator as follows: Group 1 received perineal ES (n:29), and Group 2 no treatment (n:29). Perineal ES was performed in lithotomy position via a stimulation device (Enraf Myomed 632) with surface electrodes, 3 days a week, 20 min a day, for a total of 24 sessions for 8 weeks. Men were evaluated in terms of continence rates (primary outcome), incontinence severity (24 h-pad test), incontinence episodes (3-day bladder diary), anxiety-depression (HADS), QoL (IIQ-7), and improvement rates and treatment satisfaction (Likert scale) at the baseline and the end of treatment (8th week).

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters except depression in Group 1, in the severity of incontinence and QoL parameters in Group 2 at the 8th week compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). At the end of treatment; the severity of incontinence, incontinence episodes, QoL, and anxiety were significantly improved in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05). No difference was found between the two groups in terms of depression (p > 0.05). The continence and improvement rates and treatment satisfaction were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Perineal ES is more effective than no treatment in men with UI after RP as an alternative ES option that is well tolerated and does not produce serious adverse events. Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05236140.

Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy for Overactive Bladder in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of different physical and rehabilitation therapies on women with overactive bladder (OAB).

DESIGN

Network meta-analysis. Data source: The Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases were systematically searched from their inception to June 22, 2022. We included only RCTs, with no language restrictions. Articles in the reference lists and related studies were thoroughly reviewed. Review Methods. This network meta-analysis included related studies on different physical and rehabilitation therapies for OAB. Data were extracted independently from the included randomized controlled trials by two authors, and they used the Cochrane Collaboration's tool to evaluate the risk of bias. We used RevMan to assess the risk assessment of research bias. This network meta-analysis was performed using the Stata software. We completed the review in accordance with the PRISMA items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 637 patients were included in this meta-analysis. All physical and rehabilitation therapies improved daytime micturition frequency and nocturia frequency in OAB patients. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), BT + ES, and BT + BF + ES are better interventions for OAB treatment. There were no significant differences in PTNS, BT + ES, and BT + BF + ES.

CONCLUSION

All physical and rehabilitation therapies can improve daytime micturition and nocturia frequency in OAB. PTNS, BT + ES, and BT + BF + ES were the priority therapies.

Factors predicting the treatment success of bladder training for urgency urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of bladder training (BT) for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and to determine women characteristics that are predictors for success.

METHODS

Clinical data of 110 women with UUI who had received BT over 8 weeks were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (24-h pad test), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and the number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), incontinence-related QoL (IIQ-7) and treatment success. Treatment success was evaluated at a ≥50% reduction in incontinence episodes at the end of the treatment.

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters (incontinence severity, frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes and the number of pads, symptom severity, and incontinence-related QoL) at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline values in women with UUI who had received BT (p < 0.001). The treatment success rate was 35.5%. In the multivariate analysis (OR, 95% CI), the treatment was found to be more successful in women with higher education levels (p = 0.012, p = 0.029) and of younger ages (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the BT given to women with UUI is effective in reducing incontinence severity, frequency, nocturia, incontinence episodes, number of pads, symptom severity, and improving QoL. Young age and high education levels are the predictive factors in the treatment success of BT in women with UUI. For this reason, these predictive factors should be considered in determining the treatment strategy for women with UUI.

Biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training and pelvic electrical stimulation in women with overactive bladder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aims to compare biofeedback-assisted pelvic muscle floor training (PFMT) and pelvic electrical stimulation (ES) as an intervention group, with PFMT or bladder training (BT) as the control group, in women with an overactive bladder (OAB).

METHOD

PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Scopus were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to November 2021. The RCTs were screened for our eligibility criteria and quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk Index of Bias tools. The outcomes were changes in quality of life (QoL), episodes of incontinence, and the number of participants cured/improved.

RESULTS

Eight studies involving 562 patients (comprising 204 patients with biofeedback-assisted PFMT, 108 patients with pelvic ES, and 250 patients who received PFMT alone or BT and lifestyle recommendations only, as the control group) were included. The ES group showed significant differences in terms of changes to QoL (mean difference [MD]: 7.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.90-12.92, p = 0.008), episodes of incontinence (MD: -1.33, 95% CI: -2.50 to -0.17, p = 0.02), and the number of participants cured or improved (risk ratio [RR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.14-1.87, p = 0.003), while the biofeedback group resulted in nonsignificant changes in QoL (MD: 0.13, 95% CI: 7.87-8.12, p = 0.98), episodes of incontinence (MD: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.89 to 0.90, p = 0.99), and the number of participants cured or improved (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.99-1.33, p = 0.08), both compared to the control group respectively.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis shows that low-frequency pelvic ES appears to be sufficient and effective as an additional intervention for women with OAB in clinical practice according to improvements in the subjects' QoL and reduction of symptoms. Meanwhile, biofeedback-assisted PFMT does not appear to be a significant adjuvant for conservative OAB therapy.

Efficacy of intravaginal electrical stimulation with different treatment frequency in women with refractory idiopathic overactive bladder

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) therapies with different treatment frequencies (two or five days in a week) added to bladder training (BT) on incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters in women with refractory idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB).

Material and Methods

Fifty-two women with refractory idiopathic OAB were randomized into two groups as follows: Group 1 (n:26) received BT and IVES, two times in a week, for 10 weeks and Group 2 (n:26) received BT and IVES five times in a week, for 4 weeks. IVES was performed 20 minutes in a day, a total of 20 sessions for both groups. Women were evaluated for incontinence severity (24h pad test), pelvic floor muscles strength (perineometer), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and the number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), quality of life (IIQ-7), treatment success (positive response rate), cure/improvement rate and treatment satisfaction (Likert scale).

Results

There was no statistically significant differences in all parameters between the two groups at the end of the treatment. It was found that the treatment satisfaction scores, cure/improvement and positive response rates were not significantly different between two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion

We concluded that the application of IVES twice a week or 5 times a week added to BT were both effective on incontinence-related QoL and clinical parameters in women with refractory idiopathic OAB. These two IVES frequencies had similar clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction with a slight difference between them; 5 times per week IVES has a shorter treatment duration.

Short-term effect of magnetic stimulation added to bladder training in women with idiopathic overactive bladder: A prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of magnetic stimulation (MStim) added to bladder training (BT) on incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-six women with idiopathic OAB were randomized into two groups using the random numbers generator as follows: Group 1 received BT alone (n: 38), and Group 2 received BT + MStim (n: 38). MStim was performed with MStim therapy armchair (Novamag NT60), 2 days a week, 20 min a day, a total of 12 sessions for 6 weeks. Women were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (24-h pad test), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia, and number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), QoL (IIQ-7), positive response and cure-improvement rates, and treatment satisfaction (Likert scale) at the baseline and the end of treatment (sixth week).

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in incontinence severity, frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads, symptom severity, and QoL parameters for two groups at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). At the end of treatment; incontinence severity, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads, symptom severity, and QoL were significantly improved in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05). No difference was found between the two groups in terms of frequency of voiding (p > 0.05). The positive response and cure-improvement rates, and treatment satisfaction were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MStim added to BT is more effective than BT alone in women with idiopathic OAB.

Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in patients with overactive bladder: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Some meta‐analyses have proved the superiority of non‐pharmacological interventions in overactive bladder (OAB), but the best choice is still controversial.

Aim

To assess the most effective interventions in female with OAB.

Methods

Studies for relevant randomized controlled trials which compare different kinds of non‐pharmacological interventions in females with OAB will be retrieved from 8 databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and China Biology Medicine disc, from inception to 1 January 2021. After screening titles and abstracts, detailed data including participates, interventions and outcomes will be extracted according to the eligible criteria. Then, Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the literature. The pairwise meta‐analysis will be conducted by STATA. Network meta‐analysis will be performed to compare and rank the effects of different non‐pharmacological interventions, in terms of alleviation of symptoms, by OpenBUGS, R and STATA.

Results

This network meta‐analysis will present the best available evidence about non‐pharmacological interventions for OAB to both relieve symptoms and improve life quality.

Efficacy of intravaginal electrical stimulation added to bladder training in women with idiopathic overactive bladder: A prospective randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) added to bladder training (BT) on incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two women with idiopathic OAB were randomized into two groups using the random numbers generator as follows: Group 1 received BT alone (n:31), and Group 2 received BT+IVES (n:31). IVES was performed for twenty minutes three days a week over a course of eight weeks for a total of 24 sessions. Patients were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (24-hour pad test), pelvic floor muscles strength (perineometer), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes and number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), incontinence-related QoL (IIQ-7), treatment success (positive response rate), cure/improvement rate and treatment satisfaction (Likert scale).

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters for all groups at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline values except pelvic floor muscles strength in Group 1 (p < 0.05). At the end of treatment, incontinence severity, frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, number of pads, symptom severity, and QoL were significantly improved in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05). Treatment satisfaction, cure/improvement, and positive response rates were significantly higher in group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that BT+IVES were more effective than BT alone on both incontinence-related QoL and clinical parameters in women with idiopathic OAB.

Cognitive components of behavioral therapy for overactive bladder: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for overactive bladder (OAB); however, the cognitive components of behavioral therapy for OAB have not been evaluated. The purposes of this systematic review were to describe the cognitive components of behavioral therapy for OAB and evaluate their effectiveness as well as to describe their rationale and origins.

METHODS

Searches were conducted on the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane and PEDro databases. Inclusion criteria were single-arm or randomized controlled trials on OAB treatment that utilized behavioral therapy, with a description of a cognitive component of the behavioral therapy. Study participants were neurologically intact adults (n = 1169). Study methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro and Newcastle-Ottawa scales.

RESULTS

Five studies were included, published between 2009 and 2020. Methodological quality was variable. All studies reported a reduction of symptoms in participants receiving behavioral therapy. Cognitive components of behavioral therapy were not extensively described. Distraction was the most common cognitive strategy for managing urgency. The relative impact of the cognitive aspect of behavioral therapy could not be evaluated, and the cognitive aspects of behavioral therapy appear to be accepted wisdom, traceable to several key authors, that has not been subjected to scientific investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioral therapy for OAB appears useful, but its cognitive components are not well described, their relative importance has not been evaluated or ascertained, nor have they been rigorously studied.