BIOFEEDBACK TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH IDIOPATHIC DETRUSORINSTABILITY

In adults and children suffering from urge, urge incontinence, frequen t voidings, and nocturia, urodynamic examination often confirms the di agnosis of detrusor instability. We assessed the outcome of biofeedbac k therapy in 15 children aged 6-12 years and 7 adults aged 20-52 years , all with cystometrically proven detrusor instability. The detrusor p ressure was visually conveyed to the patient during repeated bladder f illings. The patient was instructed to interrupt detrusor pressure inc rements by tensing the pelvic floor musculature. None of the children were found completely cured; however, 9 showed a marked decrease in ei ther the number or the extent of symptoms. Two children showed moderat e improvement, while 4 remained unaffected by the treatment. One adult was completely cured, 2 improved moderately, and 4 showed no improvem ent. None of these patients were converted to stable cystometry. Upon termination of the BF treatment a follow-up study was conducted for pa tients exhibiting pronounced or moderate improvement. The beneficial e ffect was maintained except in one case.