Assessment of the Short-Term Effects after High-Inductive Electromagnetic Stimulation of Pelvic Floor Muscles: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study

Noninvasive High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Therapy in Women With Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an uncontrollable expulsion of urine at a time. UI is obviously not life-threatening, but its impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL) is often devastating. Many treatments method to address this problem but all these methods have limitations. Recently, a brand-new noninvasive treatment for pelvic floor muscles (PFM) using a high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) field was unveiled. HIFEM therapy may provide better results thus in this study, we aim to summarize the existing evidence and assess the efficacy and safety of HIFEM.

METHOD

The databases used were Pubmed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. The literature search was performed using strategic keywords (women) AND ((High Intensity Electromagnetic Field) OR (Electromagnetic Stimulation)) AND ((urinary incontinence) OR (overactive bladder) OR (pelvic floor dysfunction)). Articles that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria are then analyzed.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in this review, most of the studies concluded that the usage of HIFEM can reduce the symptoms related to UI significantly and improve QoL. There was higher decrease of UI episodes (MD: -4.10, 95% CI: -7.34 to -0.85, p = 0.01) and improvement of ICIQ-UI SF score (MD: -3.03, 95% CI: -3.27 to -2.79, p = < 0.00001) in HIFEM group compared to control. Subgroup analyses showed better QoL parameter (MD -3.40; p = 0.01, MD -0.70; p = 0.04) compared to control, albeit statistically comparable overall (p = 0.09). However, both pooled analyses for contraction and resting tone changes revealed that there were no significant differences between both groups (SMD: 0.98, 95% CI: -0.70 to 2.660, p = 0.25 and SMD: 0.20, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.58, p = 0.30, respectively). Finally, there was no safety issue highlighted in most of the studies included.

CONCLUSION

Current published studies suggest that HIFEM may be an effective and safe noninvasive treatment for female UI by promoting QoL. However, due to being high in heterogeneity and possible bias, future high-quality trials with proper blinding and standardized outcomes are necessary to conclude the applicability of HIFEM for UI.

Combined effects of high-intensity focused electromagnetic therapy and pelvic floor exercises on pelvic floor muscles and sexual function in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the impact of high-intensity focused electromagnetic therapy (HIFEMT) on the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) among postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Fifty postmenopausal women with PFM weakness and sexual dysfunction were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The HIFEMT group participated in the PFM training program in addition to HIFEMT, whereas the control group performed PFM training only. For 12 weeks, HIFEMT was scheduled twice a week, while PFM training was performed daily. At baseline and after 12 weeks, PFM strength and endurance were assessed using a perineometer, sexual function was examined using the female sexual function index (FSFI), and QoL was assessed through the menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL).

RESULTS

The HIFEMT and control groups showed significant increases in PFM strength and endurance and FSFI scores, and significant declines in MENQOL compared with baseline measures (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the HIFEMT group showed substantial improvements in all measured variables after 12 weeks (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Addition of HIFEMT to PFM training improved the PFM strength, endurance, sexual function, and QoL in postmenopausal women with PFM weakness and sexual dysfunction.

Efficacy and factors of myofascial release therapy combined with electrical and magnetic stimulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and factors of myofascial release therapy combined with electrical and magnetic stimulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). A total of 79 female patients diagnosed with CPPS from January 2021 to December 2022 were prospectively analyzed. Every patient received 3 weeks of treatment which included myofascial release therapy combined with electrical and magnetic stimulation. The visual analog score (VAS) of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) trigger points (TrPs) and the changes in pelvic floor surface electromyography before and after treatment were compared. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of each outcome index. There were significant differences in VASs of muscle TrPs before and after treatment (P < 0.05). For the surface electromyography of PFMs, the differences in pre-baseline rest, post-baseline rest, isometric contractions for muscle endurance evaluation, and coefficient of variation were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that disease course (X 1), dyspareunia (X 5), and urinary incontinence (X 6) were influencing factors for the decline of pre-baseline rest (r5 = 1.067, R 2 = 0.089), post-baseline rest (r1 = 0.055, r5 = 0.99, R 2 = 0.119), VASs of ischial spine (r5 = 0.916, R 2 = 0.102), obturator internus (r5 = 0.796, r6 = -0.703, R 2 = 0.245), and pubococcygeus (r5 = 0.885, R 2 = 0.149) after treatment in the CPPS group. This study confirmed that individualized myofascial release therapy combined with electrical and magnetic stimulation has significant efficacy for patients with CPPS. At the same time, it is more effective for CPPS patients with longer course of disease, dyspareunia, and without urinary incontinence.

Assessment of the Elastographic and Electromyographic of Pelvic Floor Muscles in Postmenopausal Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence Symptoms

Background. Shear wave elastography is an effective method for studying the condition of various musculoskeletal soft tissues. The primary aim of this study was the objective elastographic and electromyographic assessment of the pelvic floor during the rest and contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in postmenopausal women. Methods. This was a prospective observational study that was carried out at the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland, between January 2017 and December 2019. Patients. The target group of the study included postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence. The primary outcomes were the features of the elastographic assessment of the pelvic floor during rest and contraction of the PFM obtained using shear wave elastography. Results. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study, 14 patients took part in the measurements. There was a significant difference between the elastographic assessment of the pelvic floor during rest and contraction of the PFM at all locations in front of the urethra. No statistically significant correlation was found between the results of elastography and the bioelectrical activity of PFM. Conclusion. The elasticity of the periurethral structures is higher during active pelvic floor muscle contraction than at rest, it seems that shear wave elastography is an effective test that objectively assesses the strength of PFM contraction.

Benefits of Physiotherapy on Urinary Incontinence in High-Performance Female Athletes. Meta-Analysis

Introduction: High performance female athletes may be a risk group for the development of urinary incontinence due to the imbalance of forces between the abdomen and the pelvis. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may be a useful treatment in these patients. Objectives: (1) To identify the scientific evidence for pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions that are associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in high-performance sportswomen. (2) To determine whether pelvic floor physiotherapy (PT) corrects UI in elite female athletes. Materials and methods: Meta-analysis of published scientific evidence. The articles analyzed were found through the following search terms: (A) pelvic floor dysfunction elite female athletes; (B) urinary incontinence elite female athletes; (C) pelvic floor dysfunction elite female athletes physiotherapy; (D) urinary incontinence elite female athletes physiotherapy. Variables studied: type of study, number of individuals, age, prevalence of urinary incontinence described in the athletes, type of sport, type of UI, aspect investigated in the articles (prevalence, response to treatment, etiopathogenesis, response to PT treatment, concomitant health conditions or diseases. Study groups according to the impact of each sport on the PF: G1: low-impact (noncompetitive sports, golf, swimming, running athletics, throwing athletics); G2: moderate impact (cross-country skiing, field hockey, tennis, badminton, baseball) and G3: high impact (gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, aerobics, jump sports (high, long, triple and pole jump)), judo, soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball). Descriptive analysis, ANOVA and meta-analysis. Results: Mean age 22.69 years (SD 2.70, 18.00–29.49), with no difference between athletes and controls. Average number of athletes for each study was 284.38 (SD 373,867, 1–1263). The most frequent type of study was case-control (39.60%), followed by cross-sectional (30.20%). The type of UI was most often unspecified by the study (47.20%), was stress UI (SUI, 24.50%), or was referred to as general UI (18.90%). Studies on prevalence were more frequent (54.70%), followed by etiopathogenesis (28.30%) and, lastly, on treatment (17.00%). In most cases sportswomen did not have any disease or concomitant pathological condition (77.40%). More general UI was found in G1 (36.40%), SUI in G2 (50%) and unspecified UI in G3 (63.64%). In the meta-analysis, elite athletes were found to suffer more UI than the control women. In elite female athletes, in general, physiotherapy contributed to gain in urinary continence more than in control women (risk ratio 0.81, confidence interval 0.78–0.84)). In elite female athletes, former elite female athletes and in pregnant women who regularly engage in aerobic activity, physiotherapy was successful in delivering superior urinary continence compared to the control group. The risk of UI was the same in athletes and in the control group in volleyball female athletes, elite female athletes, cross-country skiers and runners. Treatment with PT was more effective in control women than in gymnastics, basketball, tennis, field hockey, track, swimming, volleyball, softball, golf, soccer and elite female athletes. Conclusions: There is pelvic floor dysfunction in high-performance athletes associated with athletic activity and urinary incontinence. Eating disorders, constipation, family history of urinary incontinence, history of urinary tract infections and decreased flexibility of the plantar arch are associated with an increased risk of UI in elite female athletes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy as a treatment for urinary incontinence in elite female athletes, former elite female athletes and pregnant athletes who engage in regular aerobic activity leads to a higher continence gain than that obtained by nonathlete women.