Interferential current versus biofeedback results in urinary stress incontinence.
BACKGROUND
Urinary stress incontinence is a common, disruptive and potentially disabling condition in which the subject complains of involuntary leakage on effort or exertion or on sneezing or coughing.


OBJECTIVE
This study was performed in order to compare the effects of interferential current and biofeedback applications on incontinence severity in patients with urinary stress incontinence. In addition, pelvic muscle strength and quality of life as important parameters in these subjects were investigated.


METHODS
In this prospective, randomised, controlled study, forty women with moderate intensity of urinary stress incontinence as determined by one-hour pad test were included. Pelvic muscle strength was evaluated by a biofeedback device and quality of life was assessed by a 28-itemed questionnaire. All of the parameters were evaluated before and after the treatments. Twenty cases underwent interferential current therapy, while pelvic floor exercises via biofeedback were applied in the remaining cases. The treatments lasted 15 minutes per session, three times a week for a total of 15 sessions.


RESULTS
All of the parameters improved after the treatments in each group (p <0.05) and both treatment modalities seemed to have similar effects on pad test (95% CI: -1.48 - 4.59), pelvic muscle strength (95% CI: -9.29 -1.78) and quality of life (95% CI: -11.91 - 5.31) outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical therapy modalities used in this trial are applied easily and non invasive. Also, when the finding that no adverse effects were observed during the study period is taken into consideration, it can be concluded that both methods can be used effectively in patients with urinary stress incontinence.
Gaziosmanpaşa University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Turkey.
Funda
F
Demirtürk
Türkan
T
Akbayrak
Ilkim Citak
IC
Karakaya
Inci
I
Yüksel
Nuray
N
Kirdi
Fazli
F
Demirtürk
Serap
S
Kaya
Ali
A
Ergen
Sinan
S
Beksac
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000628:therapy*