CONTEXT: Electrostimulation (ES) is one of the techniques employed in conservative treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) and/or overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).
Nevertheless, there is controversy in the scientific literature regarding its effectiveness as monotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the scientific evidence on ES of the pelvic floor in women with UI and with/without OAB.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of clinical trials was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, Elsevier (Doyma) and EnFisPo (1980-2011). Quality of study registries was evaluated and information was obtained from those that presented the inclusion criteria established in the review.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The 27 clinical trials were included in the review: 13 randomized controlled trials, 11 randomized non-controlled trials and 3 non-randomized trials.
CONCLUSION: Most of the clinical trials conclude that ES is effective in the treatment of UI and OAB in women. However, better methodological quality studies are needed to obtain a higher level of scientific evidence and to know the optimal current modality, type and parameters for each type of UI and OAB.
Written by:
Jerez-Roig J, Souza DL, Espelt A, Costa-Marín M, Belda-Molina AM. Are you the author?
Servicio de Rehabilitación, Hospital Can Misses, Ibiza, España.
Reference: Actas Urol Esp. 2012 Dec 12. pii: S0210-4806(12)00350-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.acuro.2012.08.003
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23246103
Article in English, Spanish.
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