A Comparative Study on the Effects of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Electrostimulation for the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Muscles and Urinary Incontinence in Parous Women: Analysis of post-treatment data
Abstract
Objectives: Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) weakening and urinary incontinence (UI) represent health issues which have a negative impact on daily life. This study compares the immediate efficiency of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) therapy and electrostimulation for the treatment of weakened PFM, accompanied by the UI.
Methods: Ninety-five parous women were considered for the study. Symptomatic patients received either HIFEM or electrostimulation treatment.
Treated patients completed 10 therapies scheduled 2-3 times per week (HIFEM) or every other day (electrostimulation). Patients underwent examination by 3D transperienal ultrasound at the baseline and post treatments.
Levator-urethra gap (LUG), anteroposterior diameter (LH-AD), laterolateral diameter (LH-LD) of levator hiatus and hiatal area (HA) were measured. In addition PFDI-20 questionnaire and subjective evaluation of patient's intimate health were assessed.
Results: Enrolled patients were divided into Group I (n=50, HIFEM), Group II (n=25, electrostimulation) and Group III (n=20, control) according the indication and treatment modality. 3D Ultrasounds showed positive changes in dynamics of the pelvic floor post treatment (decreased LH-AD, LH-LD and HA). However, the significant (P<0.05) changes of pelvic floor integrity were observed only in Group I.
In addition, Group I achieved greater level of improvement in PFDI-20 questionnaire compared to group II (52% and 18% respectively; P<0.001). Substantially fewer patients in Group I reported urine leakage after treatments.
Conclusions: Post treatment results suggest that HIFEM technology is suitable for treatment of PFM weakening and showed to be more effective when compared to electrostimulation in short-term. Therefore, we recommend HIFEM as treatment option for weakened PFM and urinary incontinence