Can a four-session biofeedback regimen be used effectively for treating children with dysfunctional voiding?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Background:

• Dysfunctional voiding (DV) is a common condition in children, often managed with biofeedback therapy.
• The optimal number of biofeedback sessions for treating pediatric DV remains undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of a novel four-session biofeedback protocol versus a traditional six-to-ten session protocol for pediatric dysfunctional voiding.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 40 children with dysfunctional voiding from two centers.
• Group 1 received four biofeedback sessions; Group 2 received six to ten sessions.
• Outcomes assessed using subjective and objective parameters pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in normalized voiding flow curves between groups post-treatment (90% vs 95%, p=0.553).
• Similar rates of vesicoureteral reflux resolution or improvement at 6 months (63.6% vs 76.9%, p=0.553).
• Both four and six-to-ten session protocols demonstrated comparable safety and effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A four-session biofeedback regimen may be as safe and effective as the traditional open-ended six-to-ten sessions for treating pediatric dysfunctional voiding.
• This finding suggests a potentially more efficient treatment approach for children with this condition.