Functional extracorporeal magnetic stimulation as a treatment for female urinary incontinence: 'the chair'

OBJECTIVE To evaluate, in a prospective study, the efficiency and applicability of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of the pelvic floor for treating urinary incontinence in women. PATIENTS AND METHODS FMS was provided by a 'magnetic chair'; 24 patients were treated twice weekly for 8 weeks (12 with urge incontinence and 12 with a mixture of urge and stress incontinence). The outcome was assessed urodynamically, by a pad test, and by patient satisfaction. RESULTS In 58% of the patients there was an objective improvement in incontinence; three patients were completely dry and 71% reported a subjective improvement (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION FMS is a safe, noninvasive and painless treatment for urinary incontinence; it is effective and easy to administer as an outpatient treatment.