Efficacy of extracorporeal electromagnetic stimulation for the treatment of urinary incontinence and the predictive factors for satisfaction

Objective: Extracorporeal electromagnetic stimulation (ExMS) has been used widely to treat Urinary Incontinance (UI). We aim to analyze the subjective and objective outcomes of ExMS treatment and evaluate factors that could predict satisfaction. Material and Method: Patients who underwent ExMS treatment for UI were evaluated. ExMS was performed twice weekly with 20 -minute sessions for six -eight weeks. Subjective satisfaction and objective improvement were evaluated before and three months after treatment with a bladder diary, pad test, and pelvic floor muscle strength assessment. King's Health Questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life. Result: Eighty-one patients were included. The mean age was 50.4 +/- 9.7 (30-76). Fourty four (54.3%) patients suffered from mixed UI, and 19 (23.5%) and 18 (22.2%) suffered from stress UI and urge UI, respectively. Six patients were cured, 64 (79.1%) were better than before, and the rest noticed no change. After treatment, there were significant improvements in bladder diary, pelvic floor muscle strength, pad test, and King's Health Questionnaire. There was a significant correlation between the type of UI and satisfaction after treatment; women suffering from stress UI were less satisfied when compared to urge or mixed UI. No correlations were found between treatment satisfaction and age, pretreatment pelvic floor muscle strength, 1 -hour pad test, or mean number of leakage and urgency episodes. No complications developed. Conclusion: ExMS is an effective treatment for UI with almost 80% subjective satisfaction. Quality of life, pad test, bladder diary, and pelvic floor muscle strength were improved significantly. The UI type (urge or mixed UI) was a significant predictive factor for treatment satisfaction.