The effect of intravaginal electrical stimulation on the quality of life and changes in function and anatomy of pelvic floor in women with stress urinary incontinence

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI), according to the Committee of the International Continence Society Standards, is defined as any involuntary urine loss associated to exertion conditions. This urine loss can be called Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and when the detrusor muscle becomes inactive Material and methods: The goal of this study was verifying intravaginal electrical stimulation effects on bladder floor mobility, pelvic floor muscles´ width, their contraction ability and the quality of life of 40 women whose age ranged from 35 to 55 and who were diagnosed with Stress Urinary Incontinence disorder. They were split into two groups: Geletro (underwent 16 perineal electrical stimulation sessions) and control group, Gc (no intervention). The variables were respectively evaluated by the following instruments: transvaginal ultrassonography (Toshiba trademark), Phenix electromyographic biofeedback and King´s Health Questionnaire. Results: The results were bladder floor mobility reduction (Δ% = -9,13%, p=0,0930), width increase on pelvic floor muscles (Δ% = 11,64%, p= 0,2924), both not significant, muscle strength increase due to biofeedback (Δ% =60,49%, p= 0,0001) and to AFA* (Δ% = 24,53%, p=0,0001), and significant decrease of all questionnaire scores: DOM 1 (Δ% = -50,00%, p = 0,000), DOM 2 (Δ% = -55,14%, p= 0,005), DOM 3 (Δ% =-74,98 %, p= 0,002), DOM 4 (Δ% = -73,87%, p= 0,002), DOM 5 (Δ% = -68,91%, p= 0,001), DOM 6 (Δ% = -85,90%, p= 0,000), DOM 7 (Δ% = -72,48%, p= 0,014), DOM 8 (Δ% =-71,88 %, p= 0,030), DOM 9Δ% =-73,29 %, p= 0,023) Conclusions: The Geletro group in comparison to the Gc which showed that intravaginal electrical stimulation improved the pelvic floor anatomically and functionally and also the quality of life of Geletro group. Stress Urinary Incontinence improvement could only be subjectively demonstrated.