Mechanical oscillations superimposed on the pelvic floor muscles during Kegel exercises reduce urine leakage in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence: A prospective cohort study with a 2-year follow up

Abstract

Introduction: New methods of conservative treatment of female stress urinary incontinence are needed. We investigated whether superimposed vibration mechanosignals during Kegel exercises could reduce the amount of urinary leakage after 4 and 6 weeks of training.

Material and methods: Sixty women with stress urinary incontinence were included in this prospective cohort study. Vibration mechanosignals were superimposed during Kegel exercises using an intravaginal device. Each training session consisted of 15 maximal contractions of pelvic floor muscles for 5 s. The women performed training (5 min/day) at home for 4 (n = 60) and 6 (n = 36) weeks. Urine leakage (g) during stress test with standardized bladder volume, and contraction force without and with superimposed mechanical stimulations were measured at inclusion (T₀ ), and after 4 (T₂ ) and 6 (T₃ ) weeks of training using an intravaginal device. Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was recorded at T₀ , and in a sub-cohort of women (n = 36) at 2 years follow up.

Results: Mean urine leakage reduced significantly from 20.5 (± 12.2) g at T₀ to 4.8 (± 6.7) g at T₂ and 1.5 (± 6.7) g at T₃ . After 4 and 6 weeks of training, urinary leakage was ≤ 4 g on stress test in 44 and 49 of the 60 women, respectively. At T₀ , the mean Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score was 13 (± 2.4), and at 2 years follow up, the score was 6.3 (± 3.75).

Conclusions: Superimposed mechanical stimulation with Kegel exercises significantly reduced urinary leakage in women with stress urinary incontinence.

Keywords: Kegel exercises; conservative treatment; mechanical stimulation; mechanotransduction; stress urinary incontinence.