title: Low-frequency electrotherapy for female patients with detrusor underactivity due to neuromuscular deficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of low-frequency electrotherapy (LFE) for female patients with early-stage detrusor underactivity (DUA) due to neuromuscular deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 102 female patients were divided randomly into four groups: LFE-NC (normal compliance), LFE-LC (low compliance), CON (control)-NC and CON-LC. Patients in the LFE-NC and LFE-LC groups received LFE, and those in the CON-NC and CON-LC groups received conservative treatment. Urodynamic evaluation was performed before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, 82 % of the LFE-NC regained detrusor contractility, whereas only 2 (8 %) of the CON-NC had normal detrusor contraction. None of LFE-LC or CON-LC regained detrusor contractility (p < 0.01). The per cent of LFE-NC who relied on catheterization for bladder emptying decreased by 43 % (p < 0.01). Those in the LFE-LC, CON-NC and CON-LC groups decreased by only 4, 12 or 0 % (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LFE was more effective for DUA patients with normal compliance; these patients benefited from LFE, but DUA patients with low compliance did not.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No. 415, Fengyang Rd, Shanghai 200003, China.
authors.forename: Dan-Feng
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cun-Zhou
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chuang-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Xin-Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Sheng-Jia
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology