Purpose: The aim of this study is to identify and critically evaluate literature regarding the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal magnetic innervation (ExMI) in the treatment of female patients with urinary incontinence (UI).
Methods: An analysis was carried out using the following electronic databases: Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library (data published between 2008 and 2023). Searches of the above databases were conducted in April 2023. Only randomized clinical studies (RCTs) in English studies were eligible for the study. Randomized controlled trials were included in the review and evaluated with the Downs and Black checklist.
Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Among these, two studies examined the use of ExMI and PMFT (pelvic floor muscle training) and three studies compared active ExMI versus sham ExMI. Four studies evaluated solely ExMI, and moreover, there was no control group in two of these studies. One study compared the effects of Kegel exercises with ExMI, while another study compared electrostimulation with ExMI. The reviewed studies exhibited significant differences in interventions, populations, and outcome measures.
Conclusions: Extracorporeal magnetic stimulation has shown promise as an effective treatment for female urinary incontinence. Whether used alone or as a component of combination therapy, ExMI has the potential to enhance patients' quality of life (QoL) without significant safety concerns.
Keywords: extracorporeal magnetic innervation; urinary incontinence; women.