Physiotherapy intervention on monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a systematic review

Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is the most common voiding disorder and is associated with a decrease in the well-being and quality of life. Physiotherapy intervention has emerged as a second line treatment, and the treatment strategies that have been most commonly used to treat children and adolescents with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis are electrostimulation, magnetotherapy, biofeedback, behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle training. Establishing the efficacy of these physiotherapy strategies in children and adolescents up to 16 years is the aim of this Systematic Review.

Research was conducted from December 2022 to November 2023 in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, and PEDro and two independent reviewers assessed titles and abstracts and judged each article for eligibility. Ten randomized-controlled trials written in English remained for analysis. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO database.

Electrostimulation was the most studied therapeutic modality and the one that showed better results, with significant improvements on bladder volumes and wet nights frequency, especially when used in association with Behavioral Therapy, Biofeedback and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. Magnetotherapy presented less evidence.

The obtained results demonstrated that physiotherapy treatment strategies may be of added value in clinical practice, as they were well tolerated, and provided a safe and effective contribution to second line treatment options for children and adolescents with refractory Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis to first line treatments.