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Comparison of pelvic floor muscle training, electromyography biofeedback, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation for bladder dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized pilot study
Author(s) -
McClurg D.,
Ashe R.G.,
Marshall K.,
LoweStrong A.S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20209
Subject(s) - medicine , biofeedback , electromyography , pelvic floor muscle , physical therapy , pelvic floor , physical medicine and rehabilitation , population , quality of life (healthcare) , distress , rehabilitation , surgery , clinical psychology , environmental health , nursing
Aim Bladder dysfunction affects up to 90% of the multiple sclerosis (MS) population. Interventions such as Pelvic Floor Training and Advice (PFTA), Electromyography (EMG) Biofeedback, and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) have received limited research attention within this population. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a combined programme of PFTA, EMG Biofeedback, and NMES for bladder dysfunction in MS. Methods Females (n = 30) who fulfilled strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were recruited. Outcome measures (weeks 0, 9, 16, and 24) included: 3‐day Voiding Diary; 24 hr Pad‐Test; Uroflowmetry; Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment; Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ); Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI); King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life‐54 Instrument (MSQoL‐54). Following baseline (week 0) assessment, participants were randomly allocated, under double blind conditions, to one of the three groups: Group 1 (PFTA); Group 2 (PFTA and EMG Biofeedback); and Group 3 (PFTA, EMG Biofeedback, and NMES). Treatment was for 9 weeks. Results Baseline severity (measured by number of leaks and pad weight) showed some variation between groups, although not statistically significant ( P > 0.05); with the caveat that this baseline imbalance makes interpretation difficult, a picture emerges that at week 9, Group 3 demonstrated superior benefit as measured by the number of leaks and pad test than Group 2, with Group 1 showing less improvement when compared to week 0; this was statistically significant between Groups 1 and 3 for number of leaks ( P = 0.014) and pad tests ( P = 0.001), and Groups 1 and 2 for pad tests ( P = 0.001). A similar pattern was evident for all other outcome measures. Conclusion Results suggest that these treatments, used in combination, may reduce urinary symptoms in MS. Further research will establish the effectiveness of these interventions. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.