Long-term efficacy of pelvic floor re-education with EMG-controlled biofeedback.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term efficacy of pelvic floor re-education (PFR) with EMG-controlled biofeedback in the treatment of female genuine stress or mixed incontinence.


METHODS
Between 1995 and 1998, 36 women completed a pelvic floor muscle training with a biofeedback device for 3-6 months. A mean of 26 months later, a follow-up examination was performed.


RESULTS
The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms decreased significantly immediately after the training but increased again at the long-term follow-up. Levator ani muscle strength improved after the treatment and remained significantly better for long-term follow-up. Immediately after the program, 25 (70%) women reported cure or improvement of stress incontinence. At the long-term follow-up, 17 (47%) reported the same result.


CONCLUSIONS
About half of the patients after PFR with biofeedback are still improved or cured after 26 months. Women should be counseled about the long-term efficacy and about the necessity of maintaining training.
Jundt
Katharina
K
I. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet, Maistrasse 11, Munich 80337, Germany. katharina.jundt@fk-i.med.uni-muenchen.de
Peschers
Ursula M
UM
Dimpfl
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy