We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of electroacupuncture (EA) on the quality of life in the patients of female mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and evaluate its clinical efficacy.

METHODSEA was adopted in 25 cases of MUI at Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35), needle retaining for 30 min each time. The treatment was given once every two days, three treatments a week, totally for 12 weeks of treatment. The incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL), the incontinence impact questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), the urogenital distress inventory short form (UDI-SF) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted in the comparison before and after treatment. The efficacy was evaluated.

RESULTSThe curative rate was 52.0% (13/25) and the total effective rate was 96.0% (24/25) in 25 cases. In comparison before and after treatment, in I-QOL, the score of limiting behaviors was increased up to (30.32 ± 3.39) from (11.52 ± 2.45), the score of psychosocial impacts was up to (36.48 ± 2.90) from (13.52 ± 2.25) and the score of social isolation was up to (21.52 ± 1.61) from (9.84 ± 2.23). The score of IIQ-7 was decreased, down to (2.48 ± 1.36) from (11.96 ± 3.45), the score of UDI-SF was down to (2.92 ± 0.95) from (8.84 ± 2.58) and VAS score was down to (1.40 ± 0.91) from (6.96 ± 1.65). The differences were all significant statistically in comparison (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA improves effectively the quality of life in MUI patients and the clinical efficacy is apparent.

Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo verify the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for female stress urinary incontinence (SU).

METHODSForty-two patients were randomly divided into an observation group(20 cases) and a control group (22 cases). EA at Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35) was used in the observation group. Sham acupuncture at non meridian points, one can beside Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35), was applied, and placebo EA was adopted in the control group. Treatment with needle retained for 30 min a time was given once every other day and three times a week for continuous six weeks in the two groups. Urinary and reproductive simple score (UDI),visual analogue scale (VAS) and the frequency of nocturnal enuresis were observed before treatment, at the second, forth and sixth week of treatment in the two groups, and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe effective rates of the observation group were 80.0% (16/20), 95.0% (19/20) and 95.0% (19/20), which were better than 40.9% (9/22), 31.8% (7/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of the control group at the second, forth and sixth week of treatment. The differences were statistically significant between the two groups (all P < 0.05). After treatment in the observation group, the results of UDI, VAS and frequency of nocturnal enuresis were improved compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). Along with treatment, all indices were gradually improved, and the change at the sixth week was the most obvious in observation group. The results of the observation group were better than those of the control group at all times (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA achieves obvious effect for female SUI, and effectively improves the lower urinary trace symptoms, the degree of urinary incontinence and the frequency of nocturnal enuresis. The effect becomes increasingly better along with treatment within six weeks.

Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination

Stem cells (SCs) are undifferentiated cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation and that therefore contribute to the renewal and repair of tissues. Their capacity for division, differentiation, and tissue regeneration is highly dependent on the surrounding environment. Several preclinical and clinical studies have utilized SCs in urological disorders. In this article, we review the current status of SC use in benign urological diseases (erectile dysfunction, Peyronie disease, infertility, and urinary incontinence), and we summarize the results of the preclinical and clinical trials that have been conducted.
Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Stem Cell Transplantation/*methods ; Urinary Incontinence/physiopathology/*therapy

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of dog-day acupuncture and tortoise-shell moxibustion combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

METHODSSeventy one cases were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty six cases in the observation group were treated with acupuncture on Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Chize (LU 5) etc. and tortoise-shell moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8) combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises; while thirty five cases in the control group were treated with only pelvic floor muscle exercises. The scores of the International Consultation Committee on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the scores of SF-36 were also compared with 35 cases in normal group.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 91.7% in the observation group was higher than that of 77.1% in the control group (P < 0.05). The dimensions of SF-36 of stress urinary incontinence patients were remarkably lower than those of normal group (all P < 0.05). The scores of ICI-Q-SF were decreased while the scores of SF-36 were increased obviously after treatment in both the observation group and the control group, there were pronounced improvements on physiological function, pain, physical activity, social function and affection function in the observation group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quality of life for female stress urinary incontinence patients may be poor, however the dog-day acupuncture and tortoise-shell moxibustion combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve the symptoms of urinary incontinence and increase the quality of life of patients.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on mild and moderate female stress urinary incontinence (FSUI) between transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation and oral administration of midodrine hydrochloride tablets.

METHODSNinety cases of mild and moderate FSUI were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. In the observation group, the transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation was applied to Ciliao (BL 32), Shenshu (BL 23), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6), once a day. In the control group, midodrine hydrochloride tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 2. 5 mg per treatment, three times each day. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks. The score of international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-urinary incontinence short form (ICI-Q-SF) and leakage of urine in 1 h urinal pad test were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups, and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe score of ICI-Q-SF and leakage of urine in urinal pad test after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both P<0. 01). The total effective rate was 86. 7% (39/45) in the observation group, which was better than 68. 9% (31/45, P<0. 05) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation achieves the better efficacy on FSUI as compared with the oral administration of midodrine hydrochloride tablets. This therapy effectively improves the patient's urine control ability and reduces leakage of urine.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; physiopathology ; therapy

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Stroke ; complications ; Urinary Incontinence ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination