Pulsed magnetic-technology has been developed for pelvic floor muscle stren
gthening for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This report includes an
update of the prospective multicenter study of extracorporeal magnetic inn
ervation (ExMI) therapy for stress incontinence and a discussion of the pos
sible mechanisms of action. Issues of patient selection for ExMI therapy wi
ll also be discussed. One hundred and eleven women with demonstrable stress
urinary incontinence were studied. The mean age was 55 +/- 13 years, and t
he mean duration of symptoms was 11 years. Ninety-seven completed ExMI ther
apy and analysis. Evaluation before treatment included bladder diaries, dyn
amic pad weight test, urodynamics, and a quality-of-life survey. For treatm
ent the patients were seated fully clothed in a Neocontrol chair with a mag
netic field therapy head in the seat. Treatment sessions were for 20 minute
s, twice a week, for 6 weeks. After ExMI therapy, all of the measures were
repeated at 8 weeks, including the dynamic pad weight testing and quality-o
f-life survey. At 6 months, further data were added, including repeat bladd
er diary, pad use, and quality-of-life survey. Forty-seven women completed
6 months of follow-up; of the 47, 13 patients were completely dry (28%) and
25 used no pad or less than 1 pad per day (53%). Pad use was reduced in 33
patients (70%). The median number of pads was reduced from 2.16 to 1 per d
ay (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P <0.005). The frequency of leak episodes wa
s reduced from 3.0 to 1.7 at 6 months (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.004
). Detrusor Instability was demonstrated in 10 before and 6 after ExMI (P <
0.05). ExMI offers an alternative approach for the treatment of urinary inc
ontinence. ExMI therapy is effective for both stress and urge incontinence.
The best results are achieved in those patients who use no more than 3 pad
s a day and have had no prior continence surgery. UROLOGY 56 (Suppl 6A): 82
-86, 2000. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.