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Pelvic floor electrical stimulation for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: a meta-analysis.
Yi-Ping Zhu1, Xu-Dong Yao, Shi-Lin Zhang
1Department of Urology, Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
Urology
|March 6, 2012
Summary
Electrical stimulation (ES) combined with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) does not significantly improve urinary incontinence (UI) recovery after prostatectomy compared to PFMT alone. This finding applies to both early and late recovery stages post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (UI) is a common complication affecting quality of life.
- Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a standard treatment for postprostatectomy UI.
- Electrical stimulation (ES) is sometimes used as an adjunct to PFMT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ES-enhanced PFMT compared to PFMT alone for improving urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted on randomized controlled trials comparing ES-enhanced PFMT with PFMT alone.
- Continence rates were analyzed at early (<3 months) and late (>6 months) post-operative time points.
- Relative risk reductions and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Main Results:
- Four studies with 210 patients were included.
- ES-enhanced PFMT did not show a significant benefit for early UI recovery (RR 1.21; 95% CI = 0.95-1.54, P = .12).
- No significant benefit was observed for late UI recovery (RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.88-1.20, P = .73).
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests that ES-enhanced PFMT does not offer superior outcomes for postprostatectomy UI compared to PFMT alone.
- Further research may be needed to identify specific patient subgroups who might benefit from ES.
- Clinicians should consider these findings when recommending treatment for postprostatectomy UI.
