Electrical Stimulation UtilizationParameters Definition of Electrical Stimulation Therapy Used in the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence or Other Voiding and Pelvic Disorders. The experience with electrical stimulation now encompasses thirty years and a very large number of incontinent patients. Problems include the fact that functional electrical stimulation does not belong to the therapeutic traditions in urology and gynecology, there is a need of personal training for successful treatment and there is a lack of systematic studies on different clinical applications. Although nearly all studies of ES have been uncontrolled, a substantial body of soft data attests to efficacy and safety of this technique. Strong evidence to suggest electrostimulation is superior to sham electrostimulation.
Few studies address long term effectiveness.
Therapies Suggested prior to use of Electrical Stimulation Based on present knowledge, pelvic muscle exercise should be the first choice of treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Medication therapy for urge incontinence can provide cure or improvement in symptoms. However, medication therapy with known side effects would be necessary long term for continued control of urge incontinence. Treatment Options Health care providers trained to provide electrical stimulation agree that for stress incontinence a high frequency, high amperage is most appropriate and for urge incontinence low frequency and moderate amperage is used. Maximal office electrical stimulation, home unit or sacral implant for chronic stimulation may be chosen depending on the patient s physical needs and social factors.