A novel rehabilitative protocol in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence in women: The effects of focused mechano-acoustic vibration

Abstract

Dysfunctions of the pelvic floor related to mixed urinary incontinence in women are pathologies extremely limiting for patients bodily and psychosocial conditions, altering their quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of focal mechanical vibrations in mixed urinary incontinence. In this retrospective observational case-control study, 65 patients were randomized and divided into 2 groups: Treatment group by focal mechanical vibrations (VISS-10 sessions) (N = 33) and a control group in waiting list (N = 32). Also, both groups received home-based postural ergonomic instructions to reinforce pelvic floor. Data were collected at T0 (baseline), T1 (end of treatment), and T2 (follow-up = after 1 month): Rheological muscle parameters were assessed by MyotonPRO respect to evaluate the gluteus maximus muscle. Then, to measure the general disability of the pelvic floor and the impact of urogenital problems on daily activities the Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) were used. Groups were matched perfectly before treatment for age (58.20 - 4.37 vs. 58.73 - 5.19) and BMI (26.15 - 2.22 vs. 25.85 - 2.11); for the two-way ANOVA analysis, a difference in gluteus variables over time and between groups except for GMDR (group p-value = 0.60) was showed. The two-way ANOVA shows statistically significant effects of treatment and time for PDFI-20 and PFIQ-7 (p-value <0.001). An improvement in incontinence symptoms and quality of life in the PDFI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores were reported and VISS may favor muscles stiffness for exercises by improving the normalization of basal tone. Our results were encouraging and suggested the use of focal mechanical vibration as a novel tool for treating mix urinary incontinence in women to complete and help the rehabilitative therapeutic protocol.