Authors (including presenting author) :
Lo HY(1), Yeung YK(1), Ng SW(1), Leung RWC(1), Brigitte Fung(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
In Hong Kong, 49.1% of female was found to have urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle reeducation is one of the conservative managements of urinary incontinence. Electrical stimulation can be one of the treatment adjuncts to reeducate the muscle. Traditionally, electrical stimulation with a vaginal probe was used. Since February 2023, electrical stimulation program with a less invasive option using high induction therapy was established for incontinence patients in Kwong Wah Hospital.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation treatment on stress incontinence patient.
Methodology :
Incontinence patients were referred to the out-patient physiotherapy department. They attended an incontinence talk and individual physiotherapy sessions for assessment and education on pelvic floor muscle exercise and bladder training. Patients with stress urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence were selected. High induction electrical stimulation (HIES) was offered to patients with weak pelvic floor muscle strength (≤ grade 2). Eight sessions of induction therapy were offered on a weekly basis. Data analyzed were recorded before the first session and after the eighth session of electrical stimulation.
Outcome measures:
• Numeric Global Rating of Change Scale(NGRCS)-subjective improvement (0-10)
• Frequency of incontinence (per month)
• Pelvic floor muscle(PFM) strength -Oxford Scale (Grade 1-5)
• International Questionnaire-short form(ICIQ-SF)
Paired t-Test were used on the data. All the statistical analyses were performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences with p≤0.05 deemed significant.
Result & Outcome :
Thirty-nine cases underwent the program from February 2023 to December 2024. Thirty-nine patients with incontinence were recruited into the program. Thirty-four patients completed the program with 5 drop out. Patient reported significant subjective improvement (NGRCS) 3.7 +/- 2.5 (p<0.001). Frequency of incontinence (per month) was significantly decreased from 42.3 +/- 52 to 18.9+/- 31.7(p<0.001). The PFM strength was significantly improved from 1.85 +/- 0.5 to 2.32+/- 0.59 (p<0.001). ICIQ-SF was significantly decreased from 11.7 +/- 3.7 to 9.8+/-3.5 (p=0.003). This electrical stimulation program was found effective to improve quality of life and continence condition of incontinence patients. HIES improves urinary incontinence symptoms in female population as reflected in improvement in NGRCS, Frequency of incontinence, PFM strength and ICIQ-SF.
