Effect of pelvic floor muscles exercise by extracorporeal magnetic innervations on the bladder neck and urinary symptoms: a research article

Background: We aim to investigate the changes of the bladder neck (BN) and urinary symptoms before and after passive pelvic floor exercise by extracorporeal magnetic innervations (ExMI) therapy. Methods: We assessed the BN and urinary symptoms of 20 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) by trans-perineal ultrasound and questionnaires before and after the ExMI therapy from January 2011 to February 2021. Results: The urinary frequency and SUI incidences were significantly decreased following the ExMI therapy (McNemar's test; P <0.01). The therapeutic efficacy of SUI was 75%. A significant decrease was noted in the pad test (paired t-test, P <0.05). Nocturia had been improved in a marginally significance (McNemar’s test, P=0.063). Any difference in the pre- versus post-treatment regarding other urinary symptoms was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6) (paired t-test, P < 0.001), yet Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) showed marginally significant difference (paired t-test, P = 0.066). Three domains of lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction in the female sexual function index (FSFI) showed significant differences (paired t-test, P <0.05), while other sexual symptoms had no significant difference before and after ExMI. Trans-perineal ultrasound found that bladder neck mobility and Q-tip straining angle were not statistically significant (paired t-test, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The ExMI is effective for SUI by strengthening the pelvic floor muscle with treatment efficacy of 75%. However, it has a limited effect on bladder neck mobility, as evidenced by trans-perineal ultrasonography.