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Low‐Frequency Stimulation Provides Significant Added Benefit for Postpartum Urinary Incontinence: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LES) in treating UI among postpartum women. METHODS: Postpartum women diagnosed with UI who received treatment at two tertiary hospitals between 1st January and 30th June 2020 were included. Patients received one of two regiments: (1) 10 sessions of functional electrical stimulation (FES) at 30-40 Hz combined with biofeedback (FES-BF group); (2) 4 sessions of LES (2-10 Hz) followed by 6 sessions of FES combined with biofeedback (LES-BF group). The primary outcome was the improvement in urine leakage frequency according to a 7-day bladder diary. The secondary outcomes included cure, severity of UI, quality of life, pelvic floor muscle strength, surface electromyography levels, pain intensity, and pelvic organ prolapse quantification. Multivariate logistic regression and double robust analysis were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 217 women were involved (LES-BF vs. FES-BF: 102 vs. 115). The LES-BF group demonstrated a significantly higher cure rate in urinary leakage frequency compared to the FES-BF group (36 [35.3%] vs. 25 [21.7%], χ² = 4.915, p = 0.027, OR = 2.85 [95% CI: 1.32 to 6.17]), which confirmed by doubly robust analysis (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.66 to 7.19). We also found superior pelvic muscles strength recovery in the LES-BF group compared to FES-BF group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of LES and FES was associated with a significant short-term cure in postpartum UI over FES alone. This protocol could be a candidate treatment option for UI, justifying further validation in randomized controlled trials. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR19000 21717).

Source: Neurourology and Urodynamics

DOI: 10.1002/nau.70273

Authors: Yaxin Liang, Li Gu, Tianzi Gai, Yue Yu, Xinyue Zhang, Min Li

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province

Language: English

Topic: Pelvic floor disorders treatments

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,860