Ingard Nilsen1,2, Guillermo Rebolledo1,2, Ganesh Acharya1,2,3, Gunnar Leivseth1,4. 1. Women's Health and Perinatology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Northern-Norway, Tromsø, Norway. 3. Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Neuromuscular Disorders Research Group, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: New methods of conservative treatment of female stress urinary incontinence are needed. We investigated whether superimposed vibration mechanosignals during Kegel exercises could reduce the amount of urinary leakage after 4 and 6 weeks of training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty women with stress urinary incontinence were included in this prospective cohort study. Vibration mechanosignals were superimposed during Kegel exercises using an intravaginal device. Each training session consisted of 15 maximal contractions of pelvic floor muscles for 5 s. The women performed training (5 min/day) at home for 4 (n = 60) and 6 (n = 36) weeks. Urine leakage (g) during stress test with standardized bladder volume, and contraction force without and with superimposed mechanical stimulations were measured at inclusion (T0 ), and after 4 (T2 ) and 6 (T3 ) weeks of training using an intravaginal device. Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was recorded at T0 , and in a sub-cohort of women (n = 36) at 2 years follow up. RESULTS: Mean urine leakage reduced significantly from 20.5 (± 12.2) g at T0 to 4.8 (± 6.7) g at T2 and 1.5 (± 6.7) g at T3 . After 4 and 6 weeks of training, urinary leakage was ≤ 4 g on stress test in 44 and 49 of the 60 women, respectively. At T0 , the mean Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score was 13 (± 2.4), and at 2 years follow up, the score was 6.3 (± 3.75). CONCLUSIONS: Superimposed mechanical stimulation with Kegel exercises significantly reduced urinary leakage in women with stress urinary incontinence.
INTRODUCTION: New methods of conservative treatment of female stress urinary incontinence are needed. We investigated whether superimposed vibration mechanosignals during Kegel exercises could reduce the amount of urinary leakage after 4 and 6 weeks of training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty women with stress urinary incontinence were included in this prospective cohort study. Vibration mechanosignals were superimposed during Kegel exercises using an intravaginal device. Each training session consisted of 15 maximal contractions of pelvic floor muscles for 5 s. The women performed training (5 min/day) at home for 4 (n = 60) and 6 (n = 36) weeks. Urine leakage (g) during stress test with standardized bladder volume, and contraction force without and with superimposed mechanical stimulations were measured at inclusion (T0 ), and after 4 (T2 ) and 6 (T3 ) weeks of training using an intravaginal device. Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was recorded at T0 , and in a sub-cohort of women (n = 36) at 2 years follow up. RESULTS: Mean urine leakage reduced significantly from 20.5 (± 12.2) g at T0 to 4.8 (± 6.7) g at T2 and 1.5 (± 6.7) g at T3 . After 4 and 6 weeks of training, urinary leakage was ≤ 4 g on stress test in 44 and 49 of the 60 women, respectively. At T0 , the mean Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score was 13 (± 2.4), and at 2 years follow up, the score was 6.3 (± 3.75). CONCLUSIONS: Superimposed mechanical stimulation with Kegel exercises significantly reduced urinary leakage in women with stress urinary incontinence.