Functional magnetic stimulation for mixed urinary incontinence

Abstract

Purpose: In this study we determined the efficacy of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) compared to placebo for treating women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI).

Materials and methods: A total of 39 women with MUI were randomly assigned to the FMS group (23 patients) or to the placebo group (16 patients). FMS was applied continuously at 18.5 Hz day and night for 2 months. Conventional urodynamic studies were performed before and after stimulation. Outcome measures assessed were clinical (daytime frequency, nocturia, pad use, pad weight) and urodynamic variables (first sensation of bladder filling, maximum cystometric capacity, maximum urethral closure pressure), and patient subjective assessment (visual analogue scale).

Results: After 2 months of FMS significant decreases in voiding frequency (from 9.0 to 6.7, p = 0.0002), nocturia (from 2.6 to 1.4, p = 0.0007) and pad use (from 3.9 to 2.2, p = 0.007) were observed only in the FMS group. First sensation of bladder filling and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly after stimulation compared with prestimulation levels only in the FMS group, p = 0.003 (from 118 to 174 ml) and p = 0.00004 (from 267 to 396 ml), respectively. A total of 18 women (78.3%) reported an improvement in symptoms after FMS with an average success rate of 41.9%. The success rate was significantly lower in the placebo group (p = 0.021) at 22.9%.

Conclusions: Functional magnetic stimulation was useful and safe for treating women with MUI.