Effect of magnetic therapy in bladder dysfunction and quality of life in paraplegic patients

Urinary dysfunction is linked to spinal cord injury (SCI). The quality of life (QoL) declines in both neurogenic bladder impairment and non-disordered patients.

To ascertain the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic therapy on urinary impairment and QoL in individuals with traumatic incomplete SCI.

This study included forty male paraplegic subjects with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) for more than one year following incomplete SCI between T6-T12. Their ages ranged from 20 to 35 and they engaged in therapy for three months. The subjects were divided into two groups of equal size. Individuals in Group I were managed via pulsed magnetic therapy once per week plus pelvic floor training three times a week. Individuals in Group II were managed with only three times a week for pelvic floor training. All patients were examined for bladder cystometric investigations, pelvic-floor electromyography (EMG), and SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.

There was a noteworthy increment in individuals in Group I in volume of bladder at first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity, detrusor pressure at Qmax, and maximum flow rate. There was a momentous increment in Group I in measures of evaluation of EMG biofeedback. There was a notable rise in Group I in SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.

Magnetic stimulation should be favored as beneficial adjunct to traditional therapy in the management of bladder impairment and enhancing QoL in individuals with SCI.