An Effective Meta-analysis of Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Urinary Incontinence

Qing He,Kaiwen Xiao,Junyu Lai,Deyi Luo,Liao Peng,Hong Li,Kunjie Wang

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-45330-9

Qing He, Kaiwen Xiao + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45330-9

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Abstract

Magnetic stimulation (MS) is a novel approach for treating urinary incontinence (UI), but its applicability remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of MS treatment on UI. A literature search was performed in EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library (from May 2018 to August 2018), and all randomized control trials (RCTs) published in English were screened to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. A manual search of the reference lists of the retrieved studies was also performed. Eleven studies involving 612 patients were included in this review. According to the results of the meta-analysis, MS therapy relieved UI symptoms evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score (mean difference [MD] −3.03, 95% CI −3.27 to −2.79). In addition, the frequency of UI in the MS treatment group was also alleviated compared with sham group (MD −1.42, 95% CI −2.15 to −0.69). Finally, MS treatment improved the quality of life of patients with UI (standardized mean difference [SMD] −1.00, 95% CI −1.24 to −0.76). Our meta-analysis preliminarily indicates that MS treatment is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with UI. Nevertheless, additional large, high quality RCTs with a longer follow-up period that use consistent stimulation methods and analyse comparable outcomes are required to validate the efficacy.

Highlights

urinary incontinence (UI) is a chronic condition that poses a substantial financial burden on individuals[4] and society[5]
The active Magnetic stimulation (MS) treatment decreased UI symptoms (ICIQ-UI SF score, mean difference (MD) −3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.27 to −2.79), alleviated the UI frequency (MD −1.42, 95% CI −2.15 to −0.69), and improved incontinence, urination and the QoL of patients with UI (SMD −1.00, 95% CI −1.24 to −0.76) in this meta-analysis
The Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), an internationally applicable questionnaire, is an effective and validated tool used to quantify the symptoms of UI

Summary

Introduction

UI is a chronic condition that poses a substantial financial burden on individuals[4] and society[5]. A prospective longitudinal study including 1081 urban Swedish women revealed that the overall prevalence of UI increased from 15% in 1991 to 28% in 20078. In this context of an increasing prevalence of UI, susceptible populations require more careful management by health practitioners. Magnetic stimulation (MS) treatment is a novel approach to provide noninvasive, passive stimulation to the sacral roots or the pelvic floor. This new form of conservative therapy for UI was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 199810. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of MS therapy on UI

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