Are Interferential Electrical Stimulation and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Beneficial in Children With Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of interferential current (IC) stimulation and diaphragmatic breathing exercises (DBEs) in children with bladder and bowel dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine children with dysfunctional voiding and chronic constipation who were failures of primary care interventions were included in the prospective clinical study. All the children were checked for their medical history regarding lower urinary tract symptoms and bowel habits. Physical examination, including abdominal and anorectal digital examination, was performed. Children kept a bladder and bowel diary, and underwent urinalyses and urine culture, ultrasound examination of bladder and kidneys, and uroflowmetry with pelvic floor electromyography. Eligible children were divided into 3 groups (A, B, and C). All groups were assigned education and behavioral modifications. Additionally, group A underwent DBEs and IC stimulation, whereas group B received only DBEs. The treatment was conducted for 2 weeks in the clinic in all 3 groups,. The behavioral modifications and DBEs were continued at home for 1 month. Clinical manifestations, uroflowmetry parameters, and postvoided residual urine were analyzed before and after 6 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: After the treatment, significant improvement in defecation frequency and fecal incontinence was noticed only in group A (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). These children demonstrated significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms and postvoided residual urine (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Bell-shaped uroflowmetry curve was observed in 73.3% of group A patients (P < .001). CONCLUSION: IC stimulation and DBEs are beneficial in chronically constipated dysfunctional voiders. Further trials are needed to define the long-term effects of this program.

Pulsed electromagnetic field during cast immobilization in postmenopausal women with Colles' fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Although Colles' fracture i.e. a dorsally displaced distal radius fracture (DRF) is one of the most common fractures, there is no enough evidence to determine the best form of rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy during cast immobilization of DRF provides beneficial effects on pain, edema, wrist range of motion and function, as well as on the frequency of complications immediately after cast removal. METHODS: The prospective randomized controlled study included 60 women over the age of 55 years with extra-articular displaced DRF treated with reduction and cast immobilization. The patients were alternately allocated to either a PEMF group (n = 30, received 10 days of PEMF therapy during immobilization), or a control group (n = 30, without PEMF therapy). Pain, function, hand circumference, wrist and forearm range of motion and frequency of complications for each patient was evaluated within two to three days of cast removal. RESULTS: Better mean values for the majority of examined parameters were recorded in the PEMF group than in the control group, but the difference was statistically significant just for edema (p < 0.001), flexion, extension and supination range (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: During immobilization PEMF therapy in DRF patients gave better results immediately after cast removal in terms of edema and wrist range of motion (ROM).