OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a preliminary study the utility of biofeedback for the treatment of the daytime syndrome of urinary frequency and urgency of childhood, a benign, self-limited condition with symptoms that can last for months or years. Observation is a commonly recommended approach to this syndrome because medications and other forms of therapy are often not effective. METHODS: During a 2-year period, 89 children (34 boys and 55 girls) presented with this syndrome. Patient age ranged from 4 to 11 years, and duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 38 months. All children were evaluated with a history, physical examination, urinalysis and culture, and renal and bladder ultrasound scanning. After the evaluation, the parents were offered either observation or surface patch electromyography biofeedback for the problem. RESULTS: Overall, 84 parents (94.3%) selected biofeedback for their child. After 1 month of biofeedback, 34.5% of children were able to achieve a 2 to 4-hour voiding interval. After 2 to 4 months of biofeedback, another 51.2% of patients experienced the same improvement. Overall, 85.7% of children who underwent biofeedback had symptom improvement. In 14.3% of children, no symptom improvement was noted after 4 months of biofeedback and these children were considered nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that biofeedback may be a treatment option for this disorder and warrants further investigation.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a preliminary study the utility of biofeedback for the treatment of the daytime syndrome of urinary frequency and urgency of childhood, a benign, self-limited condition with symptoms that can last for months or years. Observation is a commonly recommended approach to this syndrome because medications and other forms of therapy are often not effective. METHODS: During a 2-year period, 89 children (34 boys and 55 girls) presented with this syndrome. Patient age ranged from 4 to 11 years, and duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 38 months. All children were evaluated with a history, physical examination, urinalysis and culture, and renal and bladder ultrasound scanning. After the evaluation, the parents were offered either observation or surface patch electromyography biofeedback for the problem. RESULTS: Overall, 84 parents (94.3%) selected biofeedback for their child. After 1 month of biofeedback, 34.5% of children were able to achieve a 2 to 4-hour voiding interval. After 2 to 4 months of biofeedback, another 51.2% of patients experienced the same improvement. Overall, 85.7% of children who underwent biofeedback had symptom improvement. In 14.3% of children, no symptom improvement was noted after 4 months of biofeedback and these children were considered nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that biofeedback may be a treatment option for this disorder and warrants further investigation.
Authors: Manuela Bergmann; Teresa Corigliano; Iris Ataia; Raffaele Renella; Giacomo D Simonetti; Mario G Bianchetti; Rodo O von Vigier Journal: Pediatr Nephrol Date: 2008-12-18 Impact factor: 3.714