Introduction and hypothesis: The efficacy of physiotherapy for postpartum lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has attracted considerable research interest. In the current study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) combined with biofeedback (BF), electrical stimulation (ES) therapy, or both for postpartum LUTS.
Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to December 2020. Eligible randomized controlled trials on postpartum LUTS comparing PFMT plus BF, ES, or both with PFMT alone were included. The Cochrane handbook was used to evaluate the quality of the studies.
Results: Seventeen studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that PFMT plus ES with or without BF was more effective than PFMT alone. Patients receiving PFMT plus ES and BF achieved greater improvement than controls receiving PFMT alone in incontinence quality of life scores (mean difference: 15.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.70-18.97, P < 0.00001), pelvic floor muscle strength (risk ratio: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.53-3.43, P < 0.0001), and urodynamic parameters (maximum urethral closure pressure, abdominal leak point pressure, and maximum urinary flow rate), and 1-h urine leakage (standardized mean difference: -0.70, 95% CI: -1.23 to -0.17, P = 0.010) also decreased.
Conclusions: PFMT plus ES with or without BF exhibited better efficacy and safety for early postpartum LUTS than PFMT alone.
Keywords: Biofeedback; Electrical stimulation; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Pelvic floor muscle training; Physiotherapy; Postpartum urinary incontinence.
© 2021. The International Urogynecological Association.