Female urinary incontinence and intravaginal electrical stimulation: an observational prospective study

Intravaginal electrical stimulation for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) has been explored as a potential treatment for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), although its efficacy remains a subject of debate. We aim to conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of relevant trials.

Methods

This meta-analysis was performed under the PRISMA 2020 guideline. We meticulously searched for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies in various databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov, spanning from inception to March 6, 2023. All studies included one treatment group of intravaginal electrical stimulation and the diseases spectrum of the studies involved different kinds of PFDs, including urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, etc. Risk of bias charts were used to assess the risk of bias in the studies and forest plots were used the demonstrate the overall effects.

Results

Our analysis encompassed a total of 13 RCT studies. In most of the assessed PFD cure outcomes, the results demonstrated positive effects of IVES therapy, as indicated by the following findings: daily voiding frequency (MD = -1.57, 95% CI = -3.08 to -0.06, I 2 = 68%,), nocturia (MD = -1.07, 95% CI = -2.01 to -0.13, I 2 = 71%), Pad test, and Urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, the data concerning the impact of IVES therapy on the quality of life of individuals with PFDs did not confirm these positive results.

Discussion

In light of the insufficiency in both the quality and quantity of the included studies, it is premature to draw a definitive conclusion regarding the efficacy of IVES therapy for treating PFDs. Nonetheless, our study does provide several pieces of evidence in support of the potential therapeutic effects of electrical stimulation therapy in this context. We recommend that further research in this area be conducted to provide more conclusive insights into the efficacy of IVES therapy for PFDs.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023442171.

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.

The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Therapy With Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Stress Urinary Incontinence in Middle-Aged Women: A Nonequivalent Comparison Cohort Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) and a novel electrical stimulation (ES) device versus PFMEs alone on lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence-related quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMCs).

DESIGN

Nonrandomized comparison cohort study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The sample comprised 54 community-dwelling middle-aged women with stress urinary incontinence recruited from churches and cultural centers in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Comparisons of demographic and pertinent clinical characteristics revealed no significant differences between the experimental and comparison groups.

METHODS

Participants allocated to the combined intervention group (n = 27) performed self-exercises of the pelvic floor muscles 3 times a day under weekly telephone coaching, and they used the ES device twice daily for 8 weeks. Participants in the comparison group (n = 27) received the PFMEs alone without telephone coaching. The 3 main outcomes including lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence-related quality of life, and PFMCs were measured using the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom instrument (BFLUTS), King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), and a perineometer, respectively. Study outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of the 8-week period.

RESULTS

Participants in the experimental group achieved significantly greater reductions in lower urinary tract symptoms (t = -4.07, P < .001) and improvement in urinary incontinence-related quality of life (P = .006), peak PFMC pressure (P = .004), mean pelvic muscle contraction (PMC) pressure (P < .001), and duration of PFMCs (P < .001) when compared to participants undergoing PFMEs alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined ES and pelvic floor exercise was more effective in reducing severity of lower urinary tract symptoms, enhancing health-related quality of life, and increasing PMC pressure in middle-aged women with stress urinary incontinence than PFMEs alone.

Assessment of the Short-Term Effects after High-Inductive Electromagnetic Stimulation of Pelvic Floor Muscles: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study

Background: Physiotherapy should be performed by patients with stress or mixed urinary incontinence (SUI and MUI) to increase the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). A method that can positively affect the pelvic floor is stimulation with high-inductive electromagnetic stimulation (HIES). The aim of the study was to evaluate the PFMs after the application of HIES in women with SUI and MUI by using surface electromyography (sEMG). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study with a sham intervention group. The participants were randomly assigned to the HIES group or sham group. The outcomes were features of the bioelectrical PFM activity assessed using sEMG and endovaginal probes. A single-session intervention in the HIES group included 20 min of HIES with an electromagnetic induction intensity of 2.5 T. Results: In the HIES group, there was a statistically significant difference in the PFM sEMG activity during “contractions” (p < 0.001) and “quick flicks” (p = 0.005). In the intergroup comparison, higher PFM sEMG activity after the intervention (“contraction”) was observed in the HIES group than in the sham group (after: p = 0.047; 1 h after: p = 0.017). Conclusions: The assessed HIES method seems effective for SUI and MUI patients in the short term and shows an advantage over the sham intervention in the assessment of PFM contractions.

Which pelvic floor muscle functions are associated with improved subjective and objective symptoms after 8 weeks of surface electrical stimulation in women with stress urinary incontinence?

OBJECTIVE

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as involuntary urine loss during effort, sneezing, or coughing. We investigated which pelvic floor muscle (PFM) functions (muscle strength, power, and endurance) are associated with improvement in subjective and objective symptoms after 8 weeks of surface electrical stimulation (SES) training. This study was performed to determine the effects of SES in the seated position on PFM functions and subjective and objective symptoms, and to identify predictors of improved subjective and objective symptoms after 8 weeks of SES training via secondary analysis of females with SUI.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was performed between August 2018 and December 2018. Patients with SUI were randomized into an SES group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 17). Both groups were assessed pre-intervention and after 8 weeks of intervention. The outcome measures were PFM functions (strength, power, and endurance) as measured via perineometry, the score on the urogenital distress inventory-6 (UDI-6), and the ultra-short perineal pad test result.

RESULTS

Significant differences in all PFM functions, the UDI-6 score, and the pad weight were evident both between the groups (SES vs. control group) and within the groups (pre-SES vs. post-SES). On regression of factors predicting relative changes in subjective and objective symptoms, the relative change in PFM power accounted for 15 and 13 % of the variance in the UDI-6 score (P < 0.05) and pad weight (P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SES in a seated position improved both subjective and objective symptoms in females with SUI. PFM power, the UDI-6 score, and the pad weight test result should be considered when developing intervention guidelines to improve the subjective and objective symptoms of females with SUI.

The role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common problem, particularly for women. A weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can lead to one or more disorders developing, such as urinary incontinence or a pelvic organ prolapse. To combat this, it is advised that the pelvic floor muscles are exercised to strengthen them and help them become more supportive. However, more than 30% of women are unable to detect their pelvic floor muscles to produce an effective contraction. The introduction of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in pelvic healthcare poses a significant benefit in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Effect of intravaginal vibratory versus electric stimulation on the pelvic floor muscles: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction

According to the International Urogynecological Association and International Continence Society people with normal pelvic floor muscle function should have the ability to voluntarily and involuntarily contract and relax these muscles. However, many women are unaware of their pelvic floor, and it is estimated that about 30–50% do not know how to actively contract these muscles. Within this context, therapeutic strategies to improve pelvic floor muscle strength and function are particularly relevant.

Aims

To compare the use of an intravaginal vibratory stimulus (IVVS) versus intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) on pelvic floor muscle functionality in women with pelvic floor dysfunctions who cannot voluntarily contract these muscles.

Materials and methods

Randomized clinical trial performed at a tertiary care hospital from June 2016 to September 2017. The sample comprised adult women with pelvic floor dysfunction who were unable to contract their pelvic floor muscles voluntarily. Women with latex allergy or other allergies in the pelvic region, vaginal or urinary tract infection, gynecological cancer, significant pain on palpation, or pelvic floor training over the preceding 6 months were excluded. After baseline assessment, women that met the inclusion criteria were randomized to receive once-weekly 20-minute sessions of IVVS or IVES for 6 weeks.

Results

Twenty-one women were randomly assigned to each group; 18 completed the IVVS and 17 completed the IVES protocols. The IVVS group presented a significant increase in PFM strength in relation to the IVES group (p = 0.026). There was a significant interaction between time and type of intervention for the same variable (p = 0.008) in the IVVS group.

Conclusion

Both techniques were beneficial, but IVVS was significantly superior to IVES in improving pevic floor muscle strength. Additional studies are warranted to consolidate the utility of IVVS as a treatment modality for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Electrical stimulation activates calpain 2 and subsequently upregulates collagens via the integrin β1/TGF-β1 signaling pathway

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a public health issue attributed to weakened pelvic supporting tissues. Electrical stimulation (ES) is one of the first-line conservative treatments for SUI. However, the underlying mechanism of ES in the treatment of SUI is not clear. Here, we show that ES suppresses cell apoptosis and upregulates collagen expression by functioning as a cell growth inducer to activate the calpain 2/talin 1/integrin β1/transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 axis. Specifically, ES promoted Ca²⁺ to flow into the cytoplasm through the calcium channel, Cav 3.2, thereby activating calpain 2. Then, the activated calpain 2 cleaved talin 1, which induced the activation of integrin β1 and upregulated the TGF-β1-mediated transcription of collagen I and III. Notably, blocking Cav 3.2 suppressed calcium influx and inhibited the activation of downstream proteins. Furthermore, the knockdown of calpain 2 resulted in the reduction of cleaved talin 1, and the shRNA-integrin β1 treatment downregulated the level of activated integrin β1 and the expression of TGF-β1-induced collagen I and III. An association of the ES-modulated collagen I and III upregulation with the therapeutic effect of the ES-Ca²⁺/calpain 2/talin 1/integrin β1/TGF-β1 axis was demonstrated in mouse fibroblast and mouse SUI models established through vaginal distension (VD). This outcome provides insight into clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Electrical stimulation enhances neuronal cell activity mediated by Schwann cell derived exosomes

Electrical stimulation (ES) therapy has good effects in patients with nervous system injury-related diseases. ES promotes nerve cell regeneration and stimulates Schwann cells to express neurotrophic factors. The incidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among elderly people is increasing. Some studies suggest that damage to the pudendal nerve is closely related to the pathogenesis of SUI. It has also been found that pelvic ES can reduce SUI symptoms in a rat model of SUI caused by pudendal nerve injury. Clinically, pelvic floor electrical stimulation is effective in patients with mild to moderate SUI. These studies indicate that ES may ameliorate damage to the pudendal nerve and thus achieve the goal of SUI treatment, although the mechanism of action of this treatment remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to clarify the relationships among ES, neural cells and Schwann cells at the cellular level. We applied ES to nerve cells at 100 mV/mm or 200 mV/mm for 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 h to investigate changes in nerve cell activity. We then co-cultured the nerve cells with Schwann cells to explore the influence of single-culture and co-culture conditions on the nerve cells. Compared to non-ES, ES of the nerve cells increased their activity. Compared to those in single culture, co-cultured nerve cells exhibited an additional increase in activity. We also found that Schwann cell derived exosomes could promote the activity of nerve cells, with glutamate and calcium ions playing a potential role in this process. These results suggest that the mutual regulation of neural cells and Schwann cells plays an important role in the process by which ES ameliorates neurological function, which may provide a basis for subsequent studies.

Intracavitary electrical stimulation as treatment for overactive bladder: systematic review

Abstract Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical diagnosis of irritating urinary symptoms that influence on sufferers' life quality. There are effective treatments described in literature, but most of them present adverse effects. One way of treatment is the use of electrical stimulation, which has been widely used, but studies show varying results. Objective: To verify if intracavitary electrical stimulation can be effective in patients with OAB. Methods: online databases were searched with specific descriptors to find randomized clinical trials on overactive bladder treated with intracavitary electrical stimulation. Only articles with score equal or higher than 5 in methodological PEDro scale were used and those that described intra and / or inter-group P-value. Results: 217 articles were found, but only 6 were analyzed by the selection criteria. The studies show that electrical stimulation promotes the reduction of urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, nocturia, urgency and the number of protectors used, and improvements in maximum cystometric bladder capacity, symptoms of OAB and quality of life. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation was effective in patients with OAB and can be used before any invasive treatment due to none side effects.

A Pilot Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of Electroacupuncture for Women with Pure Stress Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture is a potential conservative therapy for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There is limited evidence to support its effectiveness due to the poor quality of existing studies.

METHODS

We performed a pilot randomized, controlled trial to preliminarily assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in women with pure SUI. A total of 80 women with pure SUI were randomly assigned to receive EA with deep needling at BL33 and BL35 (n = 40) or sham EA with non-penetrating needling at sham acupoints (n = 40) three sessions per week for 6 weeks. The women were followed for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the amount of urine leakage measured by a 1-hour pad test after 6 weeks. The secondary outcomes included the 72-hour incontinence episode frequency (IEF), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score, and patient self-evaluation of therapeutic effect. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the trial.

RESULTS

The median decrease from baseline of urine leakage measured by the 1-hour pad test was 2.5 g [interquartile range (IQR): 1.80-14.6 in the EA group, which was greater than the median decrease of 0.05 g (IQR: -2.80-+0.50) in the sham EA group after 6 weeks (p<0.01). The differences between groups in the decrease from baseline of 72-hour IEF became statistically significant at week 30 with a median decrease of 3.25 g (IQR: 1.25-5.69) in the EA group, and a median decrease of 1.00 g (IQR: -0.69-+2.88) in the sham EA group (p = 0.01). The participants in the EA group showed greater decreases in ICIQ-SF score and higher ratings in the help they received from the treatment than those in the sham EA group at weeks 6,18 and 30 (all p<0.05). No obvious AEs were observed in either group.

CONCLUSION

EA may effectively and safely relieve urinary incontinence symptoms and improve quality of life in women with pure SUI. EA demonstrated more than a placebo effect. Since this is a pilot study, results should be interpreted with caution.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02445573.

Functional electrical stimulation for management of urinary incontinence in children with myelomeningocele: a randomized trial

PURPOSE

To report the efficacy of transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (FES) in children with refractory neuropathic urinary incontinence secondary to myelomeningocele (MMC).

METHODS

Thirty children with history of MMC (12 girls and 18 boys, mean age 6.7 ± 3.6 years) with refractory urinary incontinence were enrolled in this study. They were randomly allocated to treatment (FES, 15 children) and control (sham stimulation, 15 children) groups. All patients underwent urodynamic study (UDS) before and 6 months after FES considering detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP), mean maximal detrusor pressure, and mean maximal bladder capacity. Daily incontinence score, frequency of pad changing, and enuresis were also assessed before and 6 months after treatment. A 15-course FES was performed for 15 min and 3 times per week. Children were followed for at least 6 months.

RESULTS

Of UDS variables, DLPP increased significantly from 32 ± 10.7 cmH2O before treatment to 55.6 ± 24.9 cmH2O in treatment group after 6 months (P < 0.03). Daily incontinence score (range 0-3) improved significantly in treatment group from 2.7 ± 0.4 before treatment to 1.3 ± 0.9 after treatment compared with sham stimulation group (P < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This type of electrical stimulation is a safe, noninvasive, and effective modality to improve urinary incontinence in myelomeningocele children and can be used at home.

Evaluation of the EmbaGYN™ Pelvic Floor Muscle Stimulator in Addition to Kegel Exercises for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective, Open-Label, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of the EmbaGYN™ Pelvic Floor Exerciser, a battery-powered neuromuscular stimulation device with a vaginal, two-electrode stimulation probe in women with stress urinary incontinence. Materials & methods: In this prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study, patients with stress urinary incontinence (n = 83) underwent 12 weeks of treatment with EmbaGYN with Kegel exercises. Results: At week 12, the mean number of incontinence episodes/day (primary end point) fell 56.2% (p = 0.152). A ≥50% decrease from baseline in incontinence episodes was seen in 65.3% of subjects (p = 0.006). The mean number of incontinence pads/day fell 57.1% (p = 0.001). Mean 24- and 1-h in-office urine loss declined 59.0% (p < 0.001) and 67% (p = 0.019), respectively. There was one nonserious device-related adverse event. Conclusion: EmbaGYN with Kegel exercises resulted in significant reductions in urine loss, incontinence pad use and improved incontinence-related quality of life, but did not have a significant effect on incontinence episodes/day.