Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation Improves Female Sexual Function in Women With Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is an established treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), especially in women with other concomitant pelvic disorders, such as sexual impairment. AIM: To evaluate the impact of PTNS on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women undergoing PTNS for OAB and analyze the results. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted in two Italian centers. Consecutive women undergoing PTNS for dry OAB were enrolled from May 2013 to June 2014. All patients were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the OAB short-form questionnaire, and a 24-hour bladder diary at baseline and 3 months later, at the end of the PTNS course. Patients with an FSFI total score no higher than 26.55 at inclusion were considered as presenting with FSD. Patients with an FSFI total score higher than 26.55 after treatment (if the increase in FSFI score was ≥20%) were considered FSD objective responders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexuality was assessed using the FSFI. The 24-hour bladder diary and completed OAB short-form questionnaire were assessed before and after PTNS to evaluate OAB symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-one women were evaluable. Twenty-one of 41 women (51%; mean age = 51 ± 10.67 years) were considered affected by FSD at inclusion. All FSFI domains showed statistically significant improvement in women with FSD (P < .05). In particular, 9 of 21 patients with FSD (43%) objectively responded (before treatment: mean FSFI total score = 18.11, range 10.8-26.3; after treatment: mean FSFI total score = 31.04, range 27.6-35). Also, women without FSD at baseline reported statistically significant improvement in their sexual function based on FSFI scores (P < .05). No significant correlations were seen between data questionnaires. CONCLUSION: PTNS improves sexual function in women with dry OAB. This amelioration is independent of urinary symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm a possible role of PTNS in treating FSD.

Manual Physiotherapy Combined with Pelvic Floor Training in Women Suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) represents one of the most common subtypes of urinary incontinence (UI) reported by women. Studies have shown an association of SUI with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). The primary aim of the present study was to explore the long-term effects of a combined treatment of manual techniques and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training in women suffering from SUI associated with NSLBP. The secondary aim was to evaluate which manual approach combined with PFM rehabilitation is more effective in improving symptoms related to SUI and in reducing pain perception related to NSLBP. Twenty-six patients suffering from SUI associated with chronic NSLBP were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the postural rehabilitation group (PRg) or the spinal mobilization group (SMg). Both groups performed a manual approach combined with PFM rehabilitation. All patients were evaluated before the treatment (T0), after 10 sessions (T1) and after 30 days from the end of the treatment (T2). The results showed an improvement in both groups in all of the investigated outcomes. Combining manual therapy and PFM training within the same therapy session may be useful for improving both SUI and NSLBP and increasing the quality of life of women suffering from SUI associated with NSLBP.