Abstract
Dysfunctional voiding (DV) in children is a common issue, which can be found in up to 30% of children with wetting problems. Biofeedback assisted pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is an established nonpharmacological method to treat DV. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapeutic intervention with biofeedback assisted PFMT in children with DV. Children referred with DV, unresponsive to standard urotherapy were included in this study. All children underwent biofeedback assisted PFMT sessions with a physiotherapist. Uroflowmetries and measurements of post-void residual (PVR) urine were performed before and after the treatment, and the following parameters were registered; daytime incontinence (DI), nocturnal enuresis (NE), constipation, faecal incontinence (FI), and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). Other concomitant treatments were noted. The primary outcomes were the resolution of DV evaluated by uroflow curve configuration and PVR. Secondary outcomes were the resolution of DI, NE and the reduction of recurrent UTIs. Forty-six children (mean age 9.6±2.4 years, 38 girls) were included in the analysis. The median period of treatment was 9.0±8.5 months (2-9 visits). Twenty-seven (59%) children responded to treatment according to one or both primary outcomes; uroflow configuration (50%) and PVR (28%). DI resolved in 12 (26%) children and 27 of the 32 children, who prior to the treatment had recurrent UTIs experienced no UTIs during the follow up period. The use of anticholinergics was a significant negative predictor for response to treatment. We found that almost half of the responders (48%) reached effect prior to the fourth visit. Biofeedback assisted PFMT can improve the symptoms in children with DV. When comparing to existing literature we find a less pronounced effect of the intervention. A possible explanation may be that the children enrolled in this study were recruited from a tertiary referral centre and were all refractory to standard urotherapy. Moreover, the difference in patient characteristics and treatment protocols between different studies make direct comparisons of efficacy difficult. Physiotherapeutic intervention with biofeedback assisted PFMT seems to lead to better uroflow patterns in approximately 60% of cases in DV improving the uroflow curves and PVR, however improvement in uroflowmetry patterns is not necessarily reflected in the resolution of incontinence or UT symptoms. The use of anticholinergics seems to be a negative predictor for response to treatment.
Highlights
Dysfunctional voiding (DV) is according to the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) terminology, defined as the habitual contractions of the urethral sphincter during voiding [1]
The use of anticholinergics seems to be a negative predictor for response to treatment
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of physiotherapeutic intervention with biofeedback assisted Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in children referred with DV not responding to standard urotherapy
Summary
Dysfunctional voiding (DV) is according to the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) terminology, defined as the habitual contractions of the urethral sphincter during voiding [1]. Surveys in children with wetting problems have reported that 4.2%e32% present with DV [1,3]. The related symptoms such as daytime incontinence (DI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) is what usually prompts the family to seek advice [4], and these symptoms can have a significant negative impact on the child’s quality of life [5]. The most prevalent cause of DV is dysfunction of the pelvic floor [8]. For children with DV, biofeedback PFMT teaches the child to identify and relax the external sphincter muscles and pelvic floor during voiding [2]. In a group of children presenting with increased PVR urine, 66% had improvement after treating their constipation [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call