| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 52
| Issue : 3 | Page : 194-200 |
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Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus biofeedback training on bladder and erectile dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury
Wael S Shendy MD 1, Moataz M El Semary1, Kadrya H Battecha2, Mohamed S Abdel-Azim3, Husam S Mourad4, Amira M El Gohary5
1 Department of Neuromuscular Disorder and its Surgery, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
2 Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
3 Department of Urology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
4 Department of Neurology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
5 Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
Wael S Shendy
Department for Neuromuscular Disorder and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo
Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1110-1083.162044
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Background
Spinal cord injury is associated with urinary and erectile dysfunction.
Objective
This study compared the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with pelvic floor biofeedback (PFBFB) training in the treatment of bladder and erectile dysfunction for male patients with traumatic partial spinal cord injury.
Methods
The study included 30 male patients with bladder and erectile dysfunction (precipitancy overactive bladder) after traumatic partial spinal cord injury above the level of T12 within 6-18 months after injury. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: the study group was subjected to TENS and pelvic floor exercises and the control group was subjected to PFBFB training in addition the exercises. Patients were assessed before and after treatment by means of cystometric measurements, electromyography activity of pelvic-floor muscles, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire.
Results
Before treatment, there was no significant difference in cystometric measurements, pelvic-floor muscle strength, and IIEF-5 score. In the TENS group, the treatment produced significant improvement in bladder volume at first desire to void (P = 0.001), maximum bladder capacity (P = 0.001) and maximum flow rate (P = 0.001), detrusor pressure at maximum flow (P = 0.002), strength of pelvic floor muscles (P = 0.001), and IIEF-5 score (P = 0.001). PFBFB training resulted in significant improvement only in the maximum flow rate (P = 0.042).
Conclusion
TENS of pelvic floor muscles is a promising, safe, effective, and inexpensive physical therapy technique to improve urinary and erectile dysfunction in patients with partial suprasacral spinal cord injuries. |
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