Evaluating Intravaginal and Transvaginal Electrical Stimulation Techniques for Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
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Júlia Vitoria Souza Nazareth1, Julia Ciriaco da Silva1, Erick Andrade Lopes1
1Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Paraná, Brazil.
Background:
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of intravaginal electrical stimulation for managing urinary incontinence.
Methods:
Searches were conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and gray literature sources including Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane tool. The primary outcome was pelvic floor muscle (PFM) pressure, while secondary outcomes included PFM strength, involuntary urine loss, frequency of urinary leakage episodes, and quality of life.
Results:
Seven randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 505 women. Two of the included reports (Amaro 2005 and Amaro 2006) derived from the same patient population were treated as a single study for the purpose of this review. The pooled analysis showed significant improvements in PFM pressure (3.92 cm H2O, 95% CI, 1.50-6.34; P = .001; I2 = 55%), PFM strength (0.89, 95% CI, 0.37-1.41; P = .0008; I2 = 52%), frequency of urinary leakage episodes (-0.41 episodes/day, 95% CI, -0.78 to -0.03; P = .03; I2 = 73%), based on conversion of diary data to a common daily unit. No significant effects were observed for involuntary urine loss (3.68 g, 95% CI, -13.01 to 20.38; P = .67; I2 = 97%) or quality of life (standardized mean difference = 0.28, 95% CI, -0.42 to 0.98; P = .43; I2 = 85%).
Conclusion:
Intravaginal/transvaginal electrical stimulation appears to enhance PFM pressure and strength and reduces leakage episodes in the short term. However, its effects on objective urinary loss and quality of life remain inconclusive, and the evidence is of very low certainty. Cite this article as: Nazareth JVS, Silva JCd, Lopes EA, Carvalho ARd, Buzanello MR, Bertolini GRF. Evaluating intravaginal and transvaginal electrical stimulation techniques for urinary incontinence: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Eurasian J Med. 2026, 58(4), 1298, doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2026.251298.
