Stress urinary incontinence, or involuntary urine leakage during activities like coughing, laughing, or exercise, is a common condition that impacts quality of life for many women. Pelvic floor muscle training is often used to treat stress incontinence, but additional therapies may enhance outcomes. This randomized controlled trial will compare two physical therapy modalities, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy versus laser acupuncture, along with pelvic floor training for improving stress urinary incontinence in 60 adult women. The study will evaluate their effects on pelvic floor muscle strength, severity of urine leakage, and quality of life. We hypothesize that PEMF and laser acupuncture will both improve stress incontinence, but PEMF will be more effective based on greater pelvic floor stimulation. The study aims to provide evidence on these physical therapy options so that optimized treatment plans can be developed for women with stress urinary incontinence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Participants in this arm will receive pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy to the pelvic floor area along with pelvic floor muscle training. The PEMF device generates a pulsed magnetic field with the following parameters: frequency 10 Hz, intensity 200 μT, pulse duration 250 μs. It will be applied over the pelvic floor for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week for 8 weeks.
Participants in this arm will receive low-level laser acupuncture to pelvic floor trigger points along with pelvic floor muscle training. A continuous wave 810 nm diode laser will be used at 100 mW power and 0.5 J/point, delivered to 6 pelvic floor acupoints bilaterally (12 points total) for 15 seconds per point. Acupuncture will be performed 3 days per week for 8 weeks.
Outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Ahram Canadian University
Al Ḩayy Ath Thāmin, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Change in pelvic floor muscle strength
elvic floor muscle strength will be assessed using a calibrated perineometer device that measures vaginal squeeze pressure. Strength will be recorded in cm H2O.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Severity Index for urinary incontinence
Severity of urine leakage will be scored using the Severity Index (SI), a validated index that rates leakage frequency and volume on a 0-20 point scale. Higher scores indicate greater severity.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in ICIQ-UI SF score
The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) is a validated quality of life questionnaire for urinary incontinence. It contains 3 scored items, with total score range of 0-21. Higher scores denote greater impact on QOL.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
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