Early 3-month treatment with comprehensive physical therapy program restores continence in urinary incontinence patients after radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aims: The objective of this study is to ascertain whether an early three-month treatment with electrotherapy and biofeedback restores continence in urinary incontinence patients after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: Design: The study performed a randomized, controlled trial of parallel and open groups. Configuration: Secondary care, urology department of a university hospital complex.

Participants: Patients sent for RP due to prostate cancer (n = 60), 47 patients finally completed the study.

Interventions: The treatment group (TG) received physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy and biofeedback, 3 days a week for 3 months, while the control group (CG) received no specific treatment. Both groups received a guide to perform pelvic floor exercises at home. The measurement instruments used were the 1- and 24-hour pad tests and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form. The recording method used was a micturition (urinary) diary.

Results: The results of the 1-hour pad test (PT) show statistically significant differences between groups at 3 months (P = .001) and 6 months (P = .001), in favor of those in the TG. Sixty-four percent of patients in the TG recovered continence as against 9.1% in the CG after 3 months in the 1-hour PT, in line with the objective of this study.

Conclusions: An early physiotherapy program helps RP patients with urinary incontinence recover continence after 3 months. Moreover, they lead a better quality life.

Keywords: physical therapy modalities; prostatectomy; urinary incontinence; urology.