The short-term effects of physical therapy in different intensities of urodynamic stress incontinence

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the short-term effects of a physical therapy program in patients with different intensities of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (USI). Subjects and Methods: 48 patients with USI were assigned to three groups according to the intensity of their incontinence: group I: 0 - 2 g (n = 17), group II (mild intensity: 12 - 10 g, n = 16) and group III ( moderate intensity: 110 g, n = 15) as determined by the 1-hour pad test. A physical therapy program composed of Kegel exercises and interferential current was applied to all patients for duration of 5 weeks, with a total of 15 sessions. The number of pads used a day, frequency of voiding (times/day), amount of urinary leakage according to the 1-hour pad test (mg), severity of complaint ( as centimeters on visual analogue scale) and pelvic floor muscle strength ( cm Hg) were evaluated. Pre-treatment and post-treatment values of these data were compared in each group and among groups. Results: Analyses of the data indicated that the number of pads used a day, frequency of voiding and amount of urinary leakage decreased and pelvic floor muscle strength increased significantly in each group (p < 0.05). Cure in USI was found in 88% of subjects in group I and 18% of subjects in group II ( mild intensity). None of the patients in group III ( moderate intensity) showed a cure effect. Conclusion: This physical therapy program was found to be more effective in mild and moderate intensities than severe USI. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.