PURPOSE: Biofeedback has been used to treat children with symptoms of bladder dysfunction not responding to standard therapy alone.
However, the evidence of the effectiveness is scarce and based on small studies. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess the effects of biofeedback as an adjunctive therapy for symptoms of Non-neuropathic voiding disorders (NVD) in children up to the age of 18.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL on Ovid-SP platform as well as conference proceedings for randomized trials presented in scientific conferences, symposia, or workshops until August 13th, 2013. Hand-searching and review of the reference lists of retrieved articles was also performed.
RESULTS: Five eligible studies were included in the systematic review of which maximum of four with a total number of 382 participants were pooled in the meta-analysis based on available outcome data. The overall proportion of cases with resolved incontinence at month 6, was similar in biofeedback and control groups (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (0.64, 2.93), and Risk Difference (RD) = 0.07 (-0.09, 0.23)). There was also no significant difference in mean maximum urinary flow rate (Mean Difference: 0.50ml; (- 0.56ml to 1.55ml)), and in likelihood of urinary tract infection (UTI) (OR=1.30, (0.65 to 2.58)).
CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support the effectiveness of biofeedback in the management of children with NVD. More high quality randomized controlled trials are needed to better evaluate the effect of biofeedback.
Written by:
Fazeli MS, Lin Y, Nikoo N, Jaggumantri S, Collet JP, Afshar K. Are you the author?
Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; School of Public and Population Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Urology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Reference: J Urol. 2014 Jul 26. pii: S0022-5347(14)04048-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.07.097
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25072179
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