Twenty Years of Urotherapy in Children: What Have We Learned?

The applicability of the urine color scale in pediatric urology

AIMS

To determine the level of agreement between healthcare professionals, patients and their parents/guardians in the interpretation of the urine color scale (UCS) in cases of urinary dysfunction, analyzing the applicability of the scale as a diagnostic tool determining the hydration status.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving 5-17-year-old patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and enuresis. The study was conducted in a public healthcare referral center for pediatric urology in the Brazilian state of Bahia between October 2019 and March 2020. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the distribution of the variables. Agreement was assessed using the kappa coefficient and weighted kappa. The z-test was used to determine significant differences between the kappa and weighted kappa. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 14, and significance was established at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were included. The kappa value was 32.4% (p = 0.000) for the agreement between healthcare professionals and patients, 41.9% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and parents/guardians, and 25.0% (p = 0.001) for agreement between patients and parents/guardians. The weighted kappa was 70.6% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and patients, 82.4% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and parents/guardians, and 51.5% (p = 0.001) for agreement between patients and parents/guardians. There was a statistically significant difference in kappa values when the healthcare professionals were compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there were some inconsistencies in interpretation, the UCS proved to be a useful tool with which to evaluate patients' hydration status.

Utilization and safety of telemedicine for pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Telemedicine for pediatric lower urinary tract symptoms (pLUTS) is a relatively new mode of delivering bladder health education with scant evidence supporting current practice. We aim to examine the safety of pLUTS-related telemedicine visits surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of new pLUTS referral diagnoses to our institution's pediatric urology clinics. Demographics, wait times, and referral diagnoses were captured and compared before and after March 2020 using χ2 /Fisher exact tests and t-tests. A retrospective chart review was performed for an initial telemedicine visit followed by an in-person visit to identify missed radiology, lab, or physical exam findings.

RESULTS

Six hundred twelve patients were included from September 2018 to August 2021. Most were 5-10 years old (62.3%), female (56.2%), English speaking (86.5%), White (39.4%), and had private insurance (67.2%). Wait times were shorter for telemedicine versus in-person visits (t190  = -3.56, p < .001). After March 2020, patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and females utilized in-person visits more often (p < .001). After chart review (11 patients, mean = 10.4 years), 9 (81.8%) had comorbid conditions and/or family history of lower urinary tract symptoms. None had missed clinical findings that changed management.

CONCLUSIONS

pLUTS care can be delivered via telemedicine without a significant change in patient volume and population, though additional investigations will clarify the needs of patients with specific referral diagnoses and comorbid conditions. The in-person exam can be omitted safely with proper clinical history taking, supporting future virtual programs that address delays in care within local communities.

Outcomes of a pilot evaluation of a group urotherapy programme for children with complex elimination disorders: An Australian experience

Evidence-based interventions have continued to show positive effects on both reducing symptoms and helping children with elimination disorders achieve continence and manage troubling psychological distress. Despite this, there is a group of children who do not respond to standard treatments and are classified as having a complex elimination disorder. As a means of addressing the broader clinical challenge and implications of complex elimination disorders, a team of clinicians in Germany developed the Urinary and Faecal Incontinence Training Program for Children and Adolescents. A pilot investigation was undertaken to apply the Urinary and Faecal Incontinence Training Program for Children and Adolescents programme to children aged 6-12 years in an Australian context who met the complex elimination disorder diagnostic criteria, to determine if any subsequent change in the measures of life quality and general well-being was achieved. Findings suggest a reduction in the frequency of the child's symptoms and improvements in family quality of life measures. Qualitatively, children and parents perceived that their child's ability to now respond to stimuli and in so doing avert severe accidents was a major outcome of the programme and was able to increase a child's sense of acceptance of incontinence, improve levels of self-efficacy and increase self-awareness.

Clinical efficacy of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) versus sham therapy (part I) and TTNS versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) (part II) on the short term in children with the idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome: protocol for part I of the twofold double-blinded randomized controlled TaPaS trial

Background

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) are effective and safe therapies for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in adults. However, few randomized sham-controlled trials have been conducted in a pediatric population. To our knowledge, both therapies never have been compared in children.

Aim

The aim of the complete study is twofold: (1) to assess the efficacy of TTNS therapy on bladder symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment in a pediatric population with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (iOAB) and/or nocturnal enuresis (part I) and (2) to assess the effect of TTNS compared to PTNS (part II). In this article, we aim to present the protocol of the first part of the TaPaS trial (TTNS, PTNS, sham therapy).

Methods

Part I of the TaPaS trial is set up as a single-center randomized-controlled trial. Children, aged from 5 to 12 years with iOAB and/or nocturnal enuresis, are assigned to two groups by computer-generated randomization: TTNS therapy (intervention) and sham therapy (control). The primary outcome is the percentage difference in average voided volume (AVV) between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints are the percentage difference in supervoid volumes, number of urinary incontinence episodes/24 h and in voiding frequency, the difference in parent reported outcomes between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment, and the duration of clinical response.

Discussion

We hypothesize that TTNS is a non-inferior treatment for iOAB in children compared to PTNS therapy. Since literature is inconclusive about the efficacy of TTNS in a pediatric population, a sham-controlled RCT on TTNS will be conducted (part I). A protocol for a prospective randomized sham-controlled trial has been developed. Enrolment has started in November 2018. Study completion of part I is expected by August 2021.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 04256876. Retrospectively registered on February 5, 2020.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05117-8.

Voiding Disorders in Pediatrician's Practice

Voiding disorders result usually from functional disturbance. However, relevant organic diseases must be excluded prior to diagnosis of functional disorders. Additional tests, such as urinalysis or abdominal ultrasound are required. Further diagnostics is necessary in the presence of alarm symptoms, such as secondary nocturnal enuresis, weak or intermittent urine flow, systemic symptoms, glucosuria, proteinuria, leukocyturia, erythrocyturia, skin lesions in the lumbar region, altered sensations in the perineum. Functional micturition disorders were thoroughly described in 2006, and revised in 2015 by ICCS (International Children’s Continence Society) and are divided into storage symptoms (increased and decreased voiding frequency, incontinence, urgency, nocturia), voiding symptoms hesitancy, straining, weak stream, intermittency, dysuria), and symptoms that cannot be assigned to any of the above groups (voiding postponement, holding maneuvers, feeling of incomplete emptying, urinary retention, post micturition dribble, spraying of the urinary stream). Functional voiding disorders are frequently associated with constipation. Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) is diagnosed when lower urinary tract symptoms are accompanied by problems with defecation. Monosymptomatic enuresis is the most common voiding disorder encountered by pediatricians. It is diagnosed in children older than 5 years without any other lower urinary tract symptoms. Other types of voiding disorders such as: non-monosymptomatic enuresis, overactive and underactive bladder, voiding postponement, bladder outlet obstruction, stress or giggle incontinence, urethrovaginal reflux usually require specialized diagnostics and therapy. Treatment of all types of functional voiding disorders is based on non-pharmacological recommendations (urotherapy), and such education should be implemented by primary care pediatricians.

EAU-ESPU guidelines recommendations for daytime lower urinary tract conditions in children

The objective is to review the literature related to lower urinary tract (LUT) conditions in children to conceptualize general practice guidelines for the general practitioner, pediatrician, pediatric urologist, and urologist. PubMed was searched for the last 15-year literature by the committee. All articles in peer-review journal-related LUT conditions (343) have been retrieved and 76 have been reviewed extensively. Prospective trials were few and the level of evidence was low. Most of the recommendations have been done by committee consensus after extensive discussion of literature reports. History taking is an integral part of evaluation assessing day- and nighttime urine and bowel control, urgency, and frequency symptoms. Exclusion of any neurogenic and organic cause is essential. Uroflowmetry and residual urine determination are recommended in all patients to evaluate bladder emptying. Urodynamic studies are reserved for refractory or complicated cases. Urotherapy that aims to educate the child and family about bladder and bowel function and guides them to achieve normal voiding and bowel habits should initially be employed in all cases except those who have urinary tract infections (UTI) and constipation. Specific medical treatment is added in the case of refractory overactive bladder symptoms and recurrent UTIs.Conclusion: Producing recommendations for managing LUTS in children based on high-quality studies is not possible. LUTS in children should be evaluated in a multimodal way by minimal invasive diagnostic procedures. Urotherapy is the mainstay of treatment and specific medical treatment is added in refractory cases.What is Known:• Symptoms of the lower urinary tract may have significant social consequences and sometimes clinical morbidities like urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux. In many children, however, there is no such obvious cause for the incontinence, and they are referred to as having functional bladder problems.What is New:• This review aims to construct a practical recommendation strategy for the general practitioner, pediatrician, pediatric urologist, and urologist for LUTS in children. Producing recommendations for managing LUTS in children based on high-quality studies is not possible. LUTS in children should be evaluated in a multimodal way by minimal invasive diagnostic procedures. Urotherapy is the mainstay of treatment and specific medical treatment is added in refractory cases.

Current pharmacological management of idiopathic overactive bladder in children in the UK: a national survey of practice

BACKGROUND

Children with daytime urinary incontinence secondary to idiopathic overactive bladder (IOAB) commonly present to paediatric urologists following failure of standard urotherapy and/or 1st-line anticholinergics. Off-label oral medications and intravesical botulinum toxin A (BtA) are being increasingly used for treatment-refractory IOAB, despite the paucity of high-quality evidence and guidelines. Knowledge of contemporary paediatric urologists' practice allows specialists to keep up-to-date with current trends in the management of IOAB in children.

OBJECTIVES

1. To present an analysis of contemporary tertiary management of IOAB in children and 2. to highlight current trends in practice and identify areas of high variability in care for targeted research.

METHODS

Paediatric urologists (55 individuals) who attended the 2018 national British Association of Paediatric Urologists (BAPU) congress responded to a 20-question survey presented at the congress. Respondents could submit one answer per question, and one survey was taken per respondent, using secure software to disable any manipulation. Answers were analysed prospectively by a single reviewer.

RESULTS

Of UK paediatric urologists, 98% regularly manage children with IOAB, 48% use 48-h frequency/volume charts and others use three or seven-day bladder diaries to aid diagnosis. Oxybutynin is the 1st-line therapy for 85%, 2nd-line is tolterodine (53%), and 3rd-line is solifenacin (41%). Mirabegron is used either alone or in combination with solifenacin as 4th-line management by 55%. Those who use intravesical Botulinum toxin A (BtA) accounted for 81% and 84% of these perform invasive urodynamic assessment prior to BtA administration. Post-BtA, assessment was clinical in 18%, 24% use invasive urodynamics, whereas uroflowmetry is preferred by 58%. Of the paediatric urologists, 72% believe the most clinically significant outcome of treatment is patient-reported improvement. Treatment success is defined variably: 49% define success as completely dry, whereas 35% accept a 90% improvement as success.

CONCLUSIONS

Off-label medications are being used widely either alone or in combination by paediatric urologists. In oral therapy-resistant IOAB, BtA is being used by the majority of specialists, usually after formal urodynamic assessment. However, post-BtA assessment and evaluation of treatment success for IOAB are variable.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation in children with functional LUTD: does it improve outcome?

INTRODUCTION

If children do not experience satisfactory relief of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) complaints after standard urotherapy is provided, other treatment options need to be explored. To date, little is known about the clinical value of pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of functional voiding disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, we compared pelvic floor rehabilitation by biofeedback with anal balloon expulsion (BABE) to intensive urotherapy in the treatment of children with inadequate pelvic floor control and functional LUTD.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart study was conducted on children with functional incontinence and inadequate pelvic floor control. All children referred for both intensive inpatient urotherapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation between 2010 and 2018 were considered for inclusion. A total of 52 patients were eligible with 25 children in the group who received BABE before inpatient urotherapy, and 27 children in the group who received BABE subsequently to urotherapy. Main outcome measurement was treatment success according to International Children's Continence Society criteria measured after treatment rounds and follow-up.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics demonstrate no major differences between the BABE and control group. There was a significant difference in improvement between BABE and inpatient urotherapy after the first and second round of treatment (round 1: BABE vs urotherapy; 12% vs 70%, respectively, round 2: urotherapy vs BABE; 92% vs 34%, respectively, both P < .001). In both cases, the urotherapy group obtained greater results (Fig. 1). When the additional effect of BABE on urotherapy treatment is assessed, no significant difference is found (P = .355) in the children who received BABE; 30 (58%) showed improvement on pelvic floor control.

DISCUSSION

Our findings imply that training pelvic floor control in combination with inpatient urotherapy does not influence treatment effectiveness on incontinence. Intensive urotherapy contains biofeedback by real-time uroflowmetry; children receive direct feedback on their voiding behaviour. Attention offered to the child and achieving cognitive maturity with corresponding behaviour is of paramount importance. It is known that combining several kinds of biofeedback does not enhance the outcome. However, our results do not provide a conclusive answer to the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of children with LUTD because we specifically investigated BABE.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we could not prove that pelvic floor rehabilitation by BABE has an additional effect on inpatient urotherapy on incontinence outcomes. Considering the invasive nature of BABE, the use of BABE to obtain continence should therefore be discouraged.

Does a serious game increase intrinsic motivation in children receiving urotherapy?

INTRODUCTION

Urotherapy is considered the treatment of choice for children suffering daytime urinary incontinence (DUI). Urotherapy intends to improve bladder dysfunction for children with DUI. For children with refractory DUI, an intensive inpatient bladder training program exists, which focuses on relearning, concentration on, and awareness of the bladder. Children's motivation and adherence are key determinants of a successful training outcome. It is hypothesized that motivation endurance throughout the treatment process may be enhanced by a serious game training tool, which could make the training more appealing and rewarding.

OBJECTIVE

The study explores intrinsic motivation in children receiving bladder training for DUI and whether using a serious game improves their intrinsic motivation.

STUDY DESIGN

In this pragmatic study, 50 children were allowed to choose among receiving bladder training with (intervention group) or without the application of a serious game (control group). At 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training, children and parents were asked to complete the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Children also completed the Pediatric Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Tool (PinQ) before the start of the training and 6 months thereafter. At 6-month follow-up, patients were ask to participate in two focus groups, wherein the children discussed how they used the serious game and which improvements they would prefer.

RESULTS

Children who received standard bladder training with the addition of a serious game did not differ in terms of intrinsic motivation from children who underwent standard bladder training only. Training results were equal in both the groups, with 80% good or improved. Incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) improved accordingly.

DISCUSSION

In contrast to the study expectations, this game did not increase intrinsic motivation. Findings on training and QoL results are consistent with those of previous studies in both interventions. Although a randomized design could have yielded more valid results than this preference-based approach, the latter is more congruent with clinical practice. In contrast to existing bladder diary apps, this game offers a combination of child-friendly instructions, explanation of bladder (dys)function, and keeping a bladder diary. Mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in health care; therefore, an urotherapy app can be a complementary therapeutic tool.

CONCLUSION

Most children find it attractive to combine bladder training with a serious game. However, no added value was found regarding intrinsic motivation and training results. All children with persistent DUI in this cohort were highly motivated to complete an intensive bladder training program.

Standard urotherapy as first-line intervention for daytime incontinence: a meta-analysis

According to the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) guidelines for the treatment of daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) in children and adolescents, the first-line intervention for all types of DUI is standard urotherapy (SU). Despite this recommendation there is still no meta-analysis available on the effectiveness of SU. The aim of this study is to provide a meta-analytic evaluation of the intervention. This meta-analysis is based on Odds Ratios (OR) and consists of 26 patient samples out of 19 studies (N = 1609), collected from well-established medical databases. Remission rates after SU are compared to spontaneous remission rates, which are matched to the individual follow-up period. The meta-analysis shows that SU is an effective treatment of DUI. Compared to a spontaneous remission rate of 15.40% per year, urotherapy increases the probability to recover by a factor of 7.27 (6.57 if corrected for publication bias). After exclusion of three outlying samples this effect can be generalized for all types of SU and all patient populations. Moderator analyses cannot identify variables which significantly influence the variance of effect sizes. However, RCTs seem to be associated with lower effects, even when the control group is not considered for effect size calculation. Based on the present meta-analysis, SU is an effective intervention for treating DUI in children and adolescents. Of 100 patients in 1 year, approximately 56 patients (54 if corrected for publication bias) remit after being treated with SU, while only 15 out of 100 remit spontaneously. However, to further quantify the effect size of SU in comparison to spontaneous remission rates and other treatments, additional RCTs are still needed.

Clinical management of nocturnal enuresis

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common health problem. Approximately 10% of 7-year-old children wet the bed regularly during sleep. Enuresis can be categorized into monosymptomatic (MEN) and nonmonosymptomatic (NMEN) forms. MEN occurs without any other symptoms of bladder dysfunction. NMEN is associated with dysfunction of the lower urinary tract with or without daytime incontinence. The rate of comorbid gastrointestinal, behavioral, and emotional disorders is elevated depending upon the subtype of NE. A careful clinical history is fundamental to the evaluation of enuresis. Diagnostic procedures include medical history and psychological screening with questionnaires, bladder and bowel diary, physical examination, urinalysis, ultrasound, and examination of residual urine. The mainstay of treatment is urotherapy with information and psychoeducation about normal lower urinary tract function, the underlying cause of MEN, disturbed bladder dysfunction in the child with NMEN and instructions about therapeutic strategies. Alarm therapy and the use of desmopressin have been shown to be effective in randomized trials. Children with NMEN first need treatment of the underlying daytime functional bladder problem before treatment of nocturnal enuresis. In patients with findings of overactive bladder, besides urotherapy, anticholinergic drugs may be useful.

Voiding school as a treatment for daytime incontinence or enuresis: Assessing the effectiveness of intervention by measuring changes in wetting episodes

BACKGROUND

Most urotherapy interventions are planned for children with daytime incontinence or symptoms, and are based on individual education. This study conducted a voiding school (VS) program with groups of 4-6 children with daytime incontinence or enuresis with or without daytime symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design was to assess the effectiveness of the VS intervention for treating children's daytime incontinence or enuresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-nine 6-12-year-old children with incontinence classified as treatment resistant participated in the VS at an outpatient clinic. Based on a power analysis, a sample of 52 participants was required. The VS involved two whole-day group visits 2 months apart. The educational content of the intervention was based on the International Children's Continence Society's standards for urotherapy, and was delivered with child-oriented teaching methods, including group discussions with peers. The primary outcome measure was the number of dry days and nights. The amount of wetting was also estimated, and the frequency of voiding measured. Data were collected with 1-week voiding diaries before and after each visit. Changes in dependent variables between four measurement points was measured by using repeated measures variance analysis. The long-term effectiveness was evaluated from patient records concerning 3-month follow-up phone calls or other contacts 8-18 months after the VS.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight children, 34 girls and 24 boys, completed the study. Twelve children had daytime incontinence, 18 had enuresis, and 28 had both. The number of dry days increased from a mean of 3.5-5.3 (P < 0.001), and the number of dry nights increased from a mean of 2.4-3.9 (P < 0.001) (Summary table). Thirteen (22%) children became completely dry. Three of them had daytime incontinence, five enuresis, and five both. Twenty-four out of 40 (60%) children with daytime incontinence, and 23 out of 46 (50%) children with enuresis showed ≥50% decrease in wetting episodes. The amount of wetting reduced, but the voiding frequency remained unchanged based on the voiding diaries. Twenty-two (45%) of the children were completely dry (six had daytime incontinence, nine enuresis, and seven both), and 16 (39%) showed further improvement, but eight (16%) children remained unchanged 8-18 months after the VS.

CONCLUSIONS

Voiding school (VS) was an effective intervention for treating both daytime incontinence and nocturnal enuresis in children who had not benefited from standard treatment and were classified as treatment resistant.

Voiding school as a treatment of daytime incontinence or enuresis: Children's experiences of the intervention

BACKGROUND

Daytime incontinence and enuresis are common problems in otherwise healthy children, and negatively influence their social lives and self-esteem. Motivation for treatment is often a real clinical problem. Children's experiences of their incontinence treatments have not been previously described.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe children's experiences of the Voiding School intervention as a treatment for their incontinence.

STUDY DESIGN

A qualitative, descriptive focus-group study with a purposive sample was conducted at a Finish university hospital in 2014. Children aged 6-12 years participated in the Voiding School at an outpatient clinic. The intervention included two 1-day group visits 2 months apart. The educational content was based on the International Children Continence Society's standards for urotherapy. The education was delivered with child-oriented teaching methods. At the end of the second visit, 19 children were interviewed in five groups. Data were analysed with inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

The children described incontinence as an embarrassing problem, which they had to hide at any cost. They had experienced bullying and social isolation because of it. Normal outpatient visits emphasized adult-to-adult communication, which made the children feel like outsiders. The children perceived the Voiding School as a nice and child-oriented experience. Making new friends was especially important to younger boys who felt that the Voiding School day was too long and issue-oriented. In the Voiding School, videos and 'learning by doing' helped the children to understand the basis of given advice, and they were able to learn new habits, which gave them control over the incontinence; this helped them to become 'the boss of the bladder'. Sharing experiences and improvements in their incontinence with their peers supported the children's self-esteem and encouraged them to do new things, such as staying overnight with friends. These experiences helped them to acquire control over the problem (Summary Figure).

DISCUSSION

According to the children's experiences, normal outpatient visits were only appointments for adults, and not very useful for children. In the Voiding School, they were respected as being the main person, and their views were listened to. The results underlined the importance of a child-oriented approach to patient education with regard to children, and provided encouragement to further develop the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Child orientation, peer support, learning by doing, and understanding the cause and effect helped children to gain control over their bladders. Based on the children's experiences, this could be achieved by a voiding school.

Bladder Training Video versus Standard Urotherapy for Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction: A Noninferiority Randomized, Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

We evaluated whether an animated bladder training video was as effective as standard individual urotherapy in improving bladder/bowel symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients 5 to 10 years old who scored greater than 11 on the bladder/bowel Vancouver questionnaire were included in a noninferiority randomized, controlled trial. Children with vesicoureteral reflux, neuropathic bladder, learning disabilities, recent urotherapy or primary nocturnal enuresis were excluded from analysis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard urotherapy or watch a bladder training video in clinic using centralized blocked randomization schemes. Bladder/bowel symptoms were evaluated at baseline and 3-month followup by intent to treat analysis. A sample size of 150 patients ensured a 3.5 difference in mean symptomology scores between the groups, which was accepted as the noninferiority margin.

RESULTS

Of 539 screened patients 173 (37%) were eligible for study and 150 enrolled. A total of 143 patients (95%) completed the trial, 5 (4%) were lost to followup and 2 (1%) withdrew. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Baseline mean ± SD symptomology scores were 19.9 ± 5.5 for the bladder training video and 19.7 ± 6.0 for standard urotherapy. At 3 months the mean symptomology scores for the bladder training video and standard urotherapy were reduced to 14.4 ± 6.5 and 13.8 ± 6.0, respectively (p = 0.54). The mean difference was 0.6 (95% CI -1.4-2.6). The upper 95% CI limit of 2.6 did not exceed the preset 3.5 noninferiority margin.

CONCLUSIONS

The bladder training video was not inferior to standard urotherapy in reducing bladder/bowel symptoms in children 5 to 10 years old. The video allows families to have free access to independently review bladder training concepts as often as necessary.

Prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of clinical voiding reeducation or voiding school for lower urinary tract conditions in children

INTRODUCTION

Although the short-term effects of urotherapy as a treatment strategy for lower urinary tract (LUT) conditions have been well documented, the long-term effects remain largely unknown. A better insight into the long-term effects of urotherapy could improve the clinical guidelines for children with incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects (i.e., from 6 months to 2 years) from a clinical voiding reeducation program among children with LUT conditions.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a prospective continuation of the follow-up study of Hoebeke et al. (2011). Thirty-eight children (mean age 9 years) with LUT conditions completed an extensive clinical voiding reeducation program (VS). Data on medication, voiding, drinking, pelvic floor tone, uroflowmetry, and incontinence were recorded 2 years after the VS. These data were compared with the outcomes at 6 months follow-up and at intake before voiding school.

RESULTS

Six months after voiding school, 22 children continued having daytime incontinence (ID) and/or enuresis (EN). Six of them became dry at 2 years. Conversely, 16 children were dry at 6 months, of which eight relapsed at 2 years. Whereas all parameters significantly improved 6 months after VS, further improvements from 6 months to 2 years could only be noticed for the proportion of children suffering from overactive bladder (92% at intake, 55% at 6-month follow-up and 18% at 2-year follow-up) (Figure). Fluid intake and pelvic floor tone improved after 6 months, but showed a significant relapse after 2 years (P = 0.013, P = 0.031, respectively).

DISCUSSION

Hoebeke et al. (2011) concluded that results continued to improve after VS. No further improvements could be noticed 2 years after VS, although individual shifts were present. The results of the present study underline the value of long-term follow-up to detect those needing ongoing treatment to prevent relapse. Fluid intake and pelvic floor tone deteriorated from 6 months to 2 years. It could be hypothesized that inadequate fluid intake, possibly leading to decreased voided volumes, may be seen as an indicator for upcoming incontinence relapse. It could be stated that adequate fluid intake and pelvic floor tone may play a role in remaining continent for the long term. Study limitations should be considered. The study population was heterogeneous and rather small. Together with other missing values, this could have influenced the results.

CONCLUSION

Close individual, long-term follow-up after clinical voiding reeducation in children is recommended in order to timely detect and prevent potential relapse.

Nocturnal enuresis and nocturia, differences and similarities - lessons to learn?

This review highlights the current views on and differences and similarities between nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children and nocturia in adults, which might be a guidance to elucidate the missing links in our knowledge. In both conditions, a genetic factor is suspected. Reduced bladder capacity and nocturnal polyuria are the main underlying lower urinary tract-related conditions. There is a link with sleep disorders, although it is not clear whether this is a cause or consequence. Physical and mental health are comprised in both conditions, however, in different ways. In NE, constipation and attention deficit disorder are the most important comorbidities and the effect on mental health and quality of life is mainly through the negative impact on self-esteem. In nocturia, cardiovascular disease and fall injuries are important comorbidities, mainly affecting the older nocturia population; personal distress and depression are consequences of the related poor sleep quality. For both conditions, treatment is often inadequate and a more individualized approach seems to be necessary. The main difference between NE and nocturia seems to be the difference in arousal to bladder stimuli, suggesting that sleep characteristics might be a key factor in these conditions.

Central inhibition of refractory overactive bladder complaints, results of an inpatient training program

SHORT INTRODUCTION

Overactive bladder (OAB) in children has an overall reported incidence of 16.6-17.8%, with its prevalence of 0.2-9% varying largely between age and gender. OAB is the most important burden in pediatric urology because of the limited effect of treatment. OAB with imperative urge and/or urge incontinence can often be successfully treated with urotherapy and pharmacological treatment. Nevertheless, approximately 20% of patients are considered to be therapy resistant for common treatment options. For the latter group, an inpatient cognitive and biofeedback training program for children has been developed.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to evaluate the effect of an inpatient cognitive and biofeedback training program for children with urge complaints and urge incontinence based on overactive bladder (OAB) after failed earlier treatment by anticholinergic medication and by outpatient urotherapy. A search for predictors for success of treatment outcome is included in the study.

STUDY DESIGN

Seventy children with therapy refractory incontinence based on OAB went through a 10-day in-hospital training program between 2007 and 2010. The children were aged between 7 and 13 years (mean 9.29 years) and 48 (68.6%) were male. An essential part of this program is teaching the children central inhibition of their bladder to suppress bladder overactivity. Before attending this training program patients had on average 41.1 months of fruitless treatment by urotherapy and medication, and if needed preceding surgery for meatus correction or deobstruction. The training result was evaluated 6 months after completion of the inpatient training program. A questionnaire was subsequently conducted 2 years after the training to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this program.

RESULTS

Six months after training, evaluation showed that 30 of the 70 patients (42.9%) were free of complaints, 22 (31.4%) had a significant reduction in complaints and 18 (25.7%) had no improvement. Logistic regression analysis was used to look at several variables predicting training outcome. A higher age during clinical training was found to be a predictor for a good training outcome. After 2 years, 44 (62.9%) patients were reached for long-term follow-up. Of these patients, 28 (63.6%) reported a good effect of the training and 11 (25%) experienced no improvement in symptoms compared with before clinical training. Objectively, 26 (59.1%) were dry and 18 (40.9%) were incontinent to some extent. A total of 30 (68.2%) patients had not relapsed into urge complaints (McNemar's test P-value <0.05).

DISCUSSION

Age was found to be a predictor of a good training result, which is in line with the findings of other publications where children above the age of 8 demonstrate better and faster training results. The absolute number of participants to perform statistical analysis on was low, even though it was the number maximally achievable in this cohort, possibly explaining how other variables could not be found to predict training outcome. No differences in outpatient therapy results were observed between patients having received earlier outpatient urotherapy in our hospital when compared with being trained elsewhere. This is coherent with previous research indicating that for outpatient training, the attention offered to the child is of paramount importance. Regarding long-term follow-up, keeping in mind long-term follow-up patient numbers were incomplete, a good effect of the training was seen with a clear reduction in incontinence complaints. Far fewer children are suffering from urge complaints, although some patients had relapsed into urge complaints.

CONCLUSION

The inpatient cognitive and biofeedback training program for refractory OAB complaints has been demonstrated to cure or improve 74.3% of patients, and conveyed favorable long-term results in approximately 75.0% of patients. A higher age during clinical training was found to be a predictor for good training outcome.

Effects of transcutaneous neuromodulation (TENS) on overactive bladder symptoms in children: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether addition of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment improves the results of standard urotherapy in children with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-two children with symptoms of OAB and incontinence were included. The children were randomized either to standard urotherapy treatment alone or a combination of standard urotherapy and TENS. The effect variables were taken from a voiding-drinking diary: number of voiding, number of incontinence episodes, and maximum voided volume.

RESULTS

Both treatment groups had good treatment results, with no significant difference between the groups. In the standard treatment group 13/28 (46%) were completely dry and 11/28 (40%) had a decrease in incontinence episodes, compared to 16/24 (67%) and 3/24 (13%), respectively, in the standard+TENS group (p=0.303). The number of voiding decreased in two-thirds of the patients in both groups. However, maximal voided volume only increased in the standard treatment group. Subjectively 72% and 80% considered themselves significantly improved or free of symptoms. Previous treatment was registered in 15/55 (27%). All efficacy variables decreased in those with previous treatment, but with no difference between the standard and standard+TENS treatment groups. The only difference noted was when comparing the children without previous treatment in the groups: a significantly higher proportion were completely dry in the TENS group (12/18 [71%] versus 10/22 [48%], p=0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results showed no significant difference overall in treatment response to OAB symptoms between urotherapy only and urotherapy+TENS, whereas a tendency to difference was found in children without previous treatment. Thus with good urotherapy support, TENS only seems to have marginal additional effects on OAB symptoms.

A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of group vs individual urotherapy in decreasing symptoms associated with bladder-bowel dysfunction

PURPOSE

We determined the feasibility of a definitive trial comparing the effectiveness of group vs individual urotherapy for children with bladder-bowel dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children 6 to 10 years old with bladder-bowel dysfunction were recruited during the course of 1 year. Feasibility data on screening, eligibility, recruitment and protocol compliance rates were collected. Patients with high grade hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux or learning disabilities and those who had previously undergone urotherapy were excluded. Patients were randomized to 1-hour group urotherapy or 15-minute individual urotherapy. Symptoms and quality of life were measured using the Vancouver Nonneurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction/Dysfunctional Elimination Syndrome Questionnaire and the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire at baseline and at 3 to 6 months of followup. Within/between group comparisons were conducted using t-tests.

RESULTS

Of 455 screened children 79 were eligible and 60 were recruited to participate. A total of 24 patients randomized to group urotherapy and 25 randomized to individual urotherapy completed the pilot trial (6 undergoing group and 5 undergoing individual urotherapy withdrew from the study). Symptomology scores between group and individual urotherapy were not different at followup (mean ± SD 14.7 ± 7.9 vs 13.4 ± 6.3, p = 0.54, 95% CI -5.4-2.8). Quality of life scores between patients undergoing group and individual urotherapy at baseline differed (mean ± SD 21.1 ± 10.8 vs 31.0 ± 14.3, p < 0.01, 95% CI 2.7-7.3) but became similar at followup (21.0 ± 14.2 vs 20.1 ± 15.3, p = 0.84, 95% CI -9.4-7.6). Within group analyses demonstrated improvement in symptomology from baseline to followup in patients undergoing group (mean ± SD 3.6 ± 7.6, p = 0.03, 95% CI 0.4-6.8) and individual urotherapy (6.0 ± 5.4, p < 0.01, 95% CI 3.8-8.3). Within group quality of life analyses revealed improvement in Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire scores from baseline to followup in patients undergoing individual urotherapy (p < 0.01, 95% CI 5.0-16.9) only.

CONCLUSIONS

Urotherapy, regardless of modality, effectively improved bladder-bowel dysfunction symptoms. A definitive randomized controlled trial is feasible, considering that a high recruitment rate (76%) for this population has been established.

Combined functional pelvic floor muscle exercises with Swiss ball and urotherapy for management of dysfunctional voiding in children: a randomized clinical trial

We report the clinical results of two types of urotherapy programs in children with dysfunctional voiding (DV). Sixty children with a median age of 8 (range, 5-14) diagnosed with DV were randomly allocated to one of two groups, each made up of 30 patients. Patients in group A underwent behavioral urotherapy (hydration, scheduled voiding, toilet training, and high-fiber diet) combined with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises, whereas group B only received behavioral urotherapy. All parents completed a voiding and bowel habit diary chart. Uroflowmetry with pelvic floor surface electromyography (EMG) and bladder ultrasound were performed on all patients at the beginning and the end of the 1-year study. Abnormal voiding pattern normalized to a bell shape in 21/30 of patients in group A and 8/30 of patients in group B (P < 0.000). EMG activity during voiding disappeared significantly in 23/30 patients in group A compared to 15/30 patients in group B (P < 0.02). Episodes of urgency resolved in 12/14 of patients in group A and 3/11 of patients in group B (P < 0.01). Daytime wetting improved in 15/17 and 4/11 of patients in groups A and B, respectively. In addition, reduction in post-void residue (PVR) was significant in group A (P < 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Functional PFM exercises with Swiss ball combined with behavioral urotherapy proved as a safe and effective therapeutic modality, reducing the frequency of urinary incontinence, PVR, and the severity of constipation in children with DV.

Bladder control training in girls with lower urinary tract dysfunction

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of standard and biofeedback bladder control training (BCT) on the resolution of dysfunctional elimination syndrome (primary outcome), and on the reduction of urinary tract infections (UTI) and the use of medications such as antibacterial prophylaxis and/or anticholinergic/alpha-blockers (secondary outcome) in girls older than aged least 5 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

72 girls, median age of 8 years (interquartile range, IQR 7-10) were subjected to standard BCT (cognitive, behavioural and constipation treatment) and 12 one-hour sessions of animated biofeedback using interactive computer games within 8 weeks. Fifty patients were reevaluated after median 11 (IQR, 6-17) months. Effectiveness of BCT was determined by reduction of dysfunctional voiding score (DVS), daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), constipation, UTI, nocturnal enuresis (NE), post void residual (PVR), and improvements in bladder capacity and uroflow/EMG patterns.

RESULTS

BCT resulted in significant normalization of DUI, NE, constipation, bladder capacity, uroflow/EMG, while decrease of PVR didn't reach statistical significance. In addition, the incidence of UTI, antibacterial prophylaxis and medical urotherapy significantly decreased. There were no significant differences in DVS, DVI, NE, bladder capacity and voiding pattern at the end of the BCT and at the time of reevaluation. The success on BCT was supported by parenteral perception of the treatment response in 63.9% and full response in additional 15.3% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Combination of standard and biofeedback BCT improved dysfunctional elimination syndrome and decreased UTI with discontinuation of antibacterial prophylaxis and/or anticholinergic/alpha-blockers in the majority of the patients. Better training results are expected in patients with higher bladder wall thickness as well as in those with vesicoureteral reflux, while presence of nocturnal enuresis may be a negative predictor of the training effect.

High efficacy of biofeedback therapy for treatment of dysfunctional voiding in children

Introduction

Dysfunctional voiding is a frequent condition in children associated with symptoms of incontinence. The aim of this study was to present the efficacy of biofeedback treatment on the resolution of clinical symptoms in a large cohort of children with urodynamically confirmed dysfunctional voiding.

Material and methods

81 children (75 girls and 6 boys) aged 6-18 years (mean: 10.32 ±3.17 yrs.) with a dysfunctional voiding pattern are presented. 74/81 (92.6%) of children were unresponsive to standard urotherapy and prior pharmacotherapy. Symptoms of bladder dysfunction were evaluated by questionnaire, bladder diary and an urodynamic study according to definitions and standards set by ICCS. The biofeedback training was planned for 2 months. Each session consisted of about 30 repeats of 5 s contraction and 30 s relaxation of pelvic floor muscles and external urethral sphincter. Biofeedback was performed together with standard urotherapy.

Results

67 (82.72%) of the 81 children declared wetting during the day and 41 (50, 62%) – wetting during the night. 32/81 (39.5%) children had increased voiding frequency and 43 (53.08%) had decreased bladder capacity. Following 2 months of biofeedback therapy daytime incontinence resolved in 34/67 (50.7%) children and nighttime incontinence in 22/41 (53.65%). A further 40,3% declared partial improvement in daytime and 26.7% in nighttime wetting.

Conclusions

Biofeedback treatment is an effective therapeutic option for children with dysfunctional voiding. Pelvic floor therapy with biofeedback should be offered to children with dysfunctional voiding resistant to standard urotherapy.

Urinary incontinence in children

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence (bedwetting, enuresis) is the commonest urinary symptom in children and adolescents and can lead to major distress for the affected children and their parents. Physiological and non-physiological types of urinary incontinence are sometimes hard to tell apart in this age group.

METHODS

This article is based on selected literature retrieved by a PubMed search and on an interdisciplinary expert consensus.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Nocturnal enuresis has a variety of causes. The main causative factors in monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (MEN) are an impaired ability to wake up when the bladder is full, due to impaired or absent perception of fullness during sleep, and an imbalance between bladder capacity and nocturnal urine production. On the other hand, non-monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (non-MEN) is usually traceable to bladder dysfunction, which is also the main cause of diurnal incontinence. A basic battery of non-invasive diagnostic tests usually suffices to determine which type of incontinence is present. Further and more specific testing is indicated if an organic cause is suspected or if the treatment fails. The mainstay of treatment is urotherapy (all non-surgical and non-pharmacological therapeutic modalities). Some patients, however, will need supportive medication in addition. Urinary incontinence has different causes in children and adults and must therefore be diagnosed and treated differently as well. All physicians who treat the affected children (not just pediatricians and family doctors, but also pediatric nephrologists, urologists, pediatric surgeons, and child psychiatrists) must be aware of the specific features of urinary incontinence in childhood.

Which treatments do children with newly diagnosed non-organic urinary incontinence receive? An analysis of 3,188 outpatient cases from Germany

AIMS

Objectives of this study were to examine the administrative incidence of urinary incontinence in children and to assess related outpatient health services utilization in this cohort.

METHODS

Data of a statutory health insurance company were analyzed and outpatients from 1 to 18 years of age with a first recorded ICD-10 code for non-organic urinary incontinence during a 1-year-period (2007) were identified. For this cohort, the prescription of desmopressin, antispasmodics, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, alarm devices, and incontinence pads in the quarter of the first diagnosis and in the following one (i.e., 6 months) was evaluated with respect to age and gender.

RESULTS

3,188 patients (59.4% male; mean age 6.8 years) matched the inclusion criteria, of whom 25.4% were under 5 years old. 7.9% were prescribed desmopressin, 7.4% received urinary antispasmodics, and 7.0% were treated with alarm devices. For 77.9% of patients, no specific incontinence-related treatments were prescribed. We found considerable differences in treatment patterns between age groups, with patients ≥ 7 years receiving desmopressin more frequently than alarm devices. Regarding gender differences, the proportion of males treated with alarm devices (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.46; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.11-1.92) and at least one specific treatment (PR 1.19; 95%CI 1.04-1.35) remained statistically significantly higher, even after adjusting for age.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we found evidence that treatment modalities only partly comply with the current guidelines for treatment of children and adolescents with non-organic urinary incontinence. Therefore, the dissemination of current guidelines remains a major educational goal.

Dysfunction elimination syndrome: is age at toilet training a determinant?

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between the age of completion of toilet training during daytime and the onset of dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES).

METHODS

The present study was designed as a case-control study. A total of 80 patients with DES were allocated to the case group and 80 patients age- and gender-matched without DES were allocated to the control group. The patients with DES were seen in a tertiary center and the control patients were seen in a primary care center. Early completion of toilet training was considered to be before 24 months.

RESULTS

Patients were aged 3-17 years (mean: 7.55); 24 were male (30%) and 56 female (70%). The most frequent lower urinary tract symptoms were: urgency (77%), incontinence (75%), holding maneuvers (30%), high urinary frequency (61%) and low urinary frequency (16%). There was a history of urinary tract infection (UTI) in 62% of the DES group. The first UTI episode was before toilet training in 40%. The completion of toilet training was before the age of 2 years in 48% of DES patients and in 50% of the control group (p = 0.752) [odds ratio (OR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-1.62].

CONCLUSION

The completion of toilet training before 24 months of age was not associated with DES. Some patients had DES symptoms such as UTI, infrequent voiding and constipation before toilet training. These findings suggest that DES may precede toilet training and this possibility should be confirmed in further studies.

Voiding school for children with idiopathic urinary incontinence and/or bladder dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Individually applied urotherapy is first-line treatment in children with bladder dysfunction. A new concept of treatment for small groups of children was applied and evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred children, 116 of them girls, aged 3-14 years (median 7.2) with bladder dysfunction and incontinence received urotherapy in small groups (2-5), called voiding school (VS). Outcome was evaluated after 3 and 12 months by voiding/leakage diary and questionnaire, and at 3 months by uroflow and post-void residual urine as well.

RESULTS

The outcome of VS was independent of age and gender. At follow up at 3 and 12 months, respectively, 35% and 40% of the children were cured and another 30% and 34% improved (P≤0.0001). Compared with the year before start of VS, urinary tract infections decreased from 34% to 6% (P<0.0001). Median residual urine decreased from 15 ml before VS to 6 ml after 3 months (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The concept of VS is a good alternative to individual urotherapy, with the outcome of fewer urinary tract infections and improved continence. Urotherapy for groups of children compared to individual treatment is also expected to have financial benefits.

Correlation between uroflowmetry parameters and treatment outcome in children with dysfunctional voiding

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between subjective (clinical) treatment outcome and objective uroflowmetry parameters and curve pattern in children with dysfunctional voiding.

METHOD

Seventy-five children were randomly allocated to two urotherapy programs. Group A was submitted to standard urotherapy and pelvic floor exercises while group B received conservative treatment. Constipation and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) were treated in both groups. Selected children from both groups received pharmacotherapy (anticholinergics or desmopressin). Uroflowmetry with electromyography of the pelvic floor and ultrasound post-void residual (PVR) urine volumes were obtained before and at the end of the 12-month treatment period. Uroflowmetry findings were stratified into two categories based on clinical treatment outcome: 'cured' and 'unchanged'. Uroflowmetry findings were compared between categories at the beginning and the end of the investigation.

RESULTS

Voided volume, average and peak flow rates were significantly increased while PVR urine was decreased in children with cured urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis compared with 'unchanged' category. Significant decrease of PVR urine was noted in children with cured UTIs. The frequency of a bell-shaped curve was significantly higher compared to other curve patterns in children with cured urinary incontinence and UTIs.

CONCLUSION

Post-treatment improvement in clinical symptoms correlated with improvement in uroflowmetry parameters and curve pattern. Correction of voiding phase is necessary for urinary continence achievement and resolution of UTIs.

Efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine hydrochloride in comparison to oxybutynin in children with urge incontinence due to overactive bladder: Results of a multicentre observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare, in a retrospective observational cohort study, the efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine and oxybutynin in children with urge incontinence (UI) due to overactive bladder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records were scrutinized for children with UI. As a primary efficacy outcome variable the achievement of continence after treatment with variable doses of propiverine or oxybutynin was assessed. Weekly UI episodes and daily voiding frequency were evaluated as secondary efficacy outcomes. Tolerability was evaluated by the rate of adverse events, adverse drug reactions caused by antimuscarinics and premature treatment termination.

RESULTS

At 16 study centres, 621 children aged 5-14 years with UI due to overactive bladder were enrolled. After anticholinergic treatment (437 propiverine, 184 oxybutynin) continence was achieved in 61.6% and 58.7% of the patients after 186 and 259 days, respectively. There were clinically relevant improvements in voiding frequency across treatment groups. Daily doses of propiverine were markedly below the recommendations (0.54 vs 0.8 mg/kg body weight), daily doses of oxybutynin were according to the recommendations (0.31 vs 0.2-0.4 mg/kg body weight) at treatment initiation. There was a significantly more favourable tolerability to propiverine than oxybutynin for the overall rate of adverse events (3.9% vs 16.3%, odds ratio 4.813), adverse drug reactions caused by propiverine or oxybutynin (2.8% vs 9.2%) and premature treatment termination due to adverse drug reactions (1.6% vs 4.4%).

CONCLUSION

Propiverine and oxybutynin are effective in children with UI due to overactive bladder. Sufficient treatment periods of at least 2, preferably 3-4, months are the crucial factors for a successful treatment. The tolerability profile of propiverine is better than for oxybutynin.

Cognitive-behavioral stress management training for boys with functional urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate an inpatient education program involving cognitive-behavioral stress management training of boys (aged 8-12 years) with functional urinary incontinence.

METHODS

The short- and long-term intervention effects of the new program on incontinence frequency, quality of life, and coping with daily and illness-related stressors were investigated in 15 boys, compared to 10 boys on a more knowledge-oriented education program without stress management. The efficacy was evaluated by non-parametric methods.

RESULTS

In both groups daytime wetting decreased while adaptive coping with daily stressors increased. Only the boys in the experimental group improved their wetting frequency during the night, maladaptive coping with illness-related stressors, and self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

Stress management training should be incorporated in patient education programs to enhance coping of children with illness-related stressors and low self-esteem.