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Evaluating the Efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) Therapy for Postprostatectomy Incontinence
Halil Tosun1, Emre Can Akinsal1, Unsal Bas2
1Department of Urology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.
Purpose:
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common complication after radical prostatectomy (RP), adversely affecting patients' quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) therapy as a non-invasive treatment for post-prostatectomy UI.
Patients And Methods:
Twenty-seven men (mean age ± SD: 67.9 ± 3.4 years) with persistent UI after RP underwent six HIFEM sessions (28 min, twice weekly) using the BTL EMSELLA® chair. Outcomes were assessed after the sixth session and at one-month follow-up. Primary endpoints were changes in International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) scores and daily pad use.
Results:
Baseline mean ICIQ-SF score was 10.58 ± 4.15. This decreased to 5.43 ± 3.85 after treatment and to 4.16 ± 3.97 at one month, representing improvements of 53.1% and 60.6%, respectively (both p < 0.005). Daily pad use declined from baseline to 1.45 ± 1.54 after treatment and 1.13 ± 1.81 at follow-up (both p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion:
HIFEM therapy significantly improved UI severity and reduced pad dependence in men with post-prostatectomy incontinence, with effects sustained for at least one month and no observed side effects. These findings support HIFEM as a safe, non-invasive treatment option warranting further study in larger, long-term trials.
