Efectos de la electroestimulación superficial en las mujeres mayores con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo: estudio piloto aleatorio controlado

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of surface electrical stimulation in elderly women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as compared to no treatment. Materials and methodsThis randomized controlled pilot study included women over the age of 60 years, with at least one episode of stress urinary leakage during the previous month. Fourteen women were allocated according to a computer generated randomization list in two groups: surface electrical stimulation (SES), and control group (CG). The women in the SES group were treated with surface electrical stimulation using four electrodes, during six weeks with two weekly sessions of 20minutes each. They were evaluated before and after treatment primary outcome, urinary leakage, and secondary outcomes, King's Health Questionnaire, pressure perineometry, and subjective satisfaction. ResultsFor the urinary leakage, there was a significant decrease in SES group after treatment (P=.017). Significant differences were observed between the SES group and CG in the evaluation after treatment (P<.01; effect size: -1,38; 95% confidence interval from 1,18 to 14,14). No significant differences were observed in both groups for the outcome pelvic floor muscle pressure. In the evaluation of quality of life, a significant reduction of score in the gravity domain was observed for the SES group after treatment (P=.017). ConclusionThe results of this study showed that surface electrical stimulation in elderly women with SUI can be an effective method for the improvement of urinary leakage.