The biofeedback treatment for non-monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna

Abstract

Aims: Enuresis is a child older than 5 years wetting in discrete portions during sleep. It has two subgroups: monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (MSEN) and non-monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (NMSEN). In this research, we specifically aimed to examine the effect of biofeedback in NMSEN.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of 182 children with NMSEN who were refractory to urotherapy modifications and directed to biofeedback therapies between 2005 and 2010. Enuresis before and after biofeedback therapies was evaluated. One or less enuretic night in a month was defined as success.

Results: There were 118 (64%) girls and 64 (35%) boys. With biofeedback therapy, 117 of 182 patients recovered with a success rate of 64% (P < 0.001), but 65 patients still had enuresis. Seventy-two out of 118 girls recovered with a success rate of 61% (P < 0.001), whereas 45 out of 64 boys recovered with a success rate of 70% (P = 0.001). The NMSEN complaints of daytime incontinence, dysuria, urgency, holding maneuvers, and urgency incontinence disappeared significantly concomitant to the enuresis component, as well (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Biofeedback therapy is an effective treatment option for the enuresis component of NMSEN with a 64% success rate.

Keywords: biofeedback; enuresis nocturna; non-monosymptomatic enuresis.