Swiss Medical Weekly. 2008 May 31;138(21-22):317-21. doi: 2008/21/smw-12038.

Demirtürk F, Akbayrak T, Karakaya IC, Yüksel I, Kirdi N, Demirtürk F, Kaya S, Ergen A, Beksac S.

Interferential current versus biofeedback results in urinary stress incontinence

BACKGROUND:

Urinary stress incontinence is a common, disruptive and potentially disabling condition in which the subject complains of involuntary leakage on effort or exertion or on sneezing or coughing.

AIM:

This study was performed in order to compare the effects of interferential current and biofeedback applications on incontinence severity in patients with urinary stress incontinence. In addition, pelvic muscle strength and quality of life as important parameters in these subjects were investigated.

METHODS:

In this prospective, randomised, controlled study, forty women with moderate intensity of urinary stress incontinence as determined by one-hour pad test were included. Pelvic muscle strength was evaluated by a biofeedback device and quality of life was assessed by a 28-itemed questionnaire. All of the parameters were evaluated before and after the treatments. Twenty cases underwent interferential current therapy, while pelvic floor exercises via biofeedback were applied in the remaining cases. The treatments lasted 15 minutes per session, three times a week for a total of 15 sessions.

RESULTS:

All of the parameters improved after the treatments in each group (p <0.05) and both treatment modalities seemed to have similar effects on pad test (95% CI: -1.48 - 4.59), pelvic muscle strength (95% CI: -9.29 -1.78) and quality of life (95% CI: -11.91 - 5.31) outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Physical therapy modalities used in this trial are applied easily and non invasive. Also, when the finding that no adverse effects were observed during the study period is taken into consideration, it can be concluded that both methods can be used effectively in patients with urinary stress incontinence.

What Health Point Physiotherapy Does

At Health Point Physiotherapy we understand that the more treatment options we have available, the easier it is to achieve the desired outcome. When it comes to treating incontinence we always start with pelvic floor muscle training using Real Time Ultrasound along with looking at other factors, such as daily habits, diet etc.

If, however, this does not result in the desired outcome we implement interferential therapy as an adjunct in order to enhance the treatment. Interferential therapy can be used at any stage of incontinence treatment. As soon as your pelvic floor strength improves you will once again resume pelvic floor exercises with the aid of Real Time Ultrasound.