Сomparative Assessment of the Impact of Various Physical Factors on the Quality of Life of Women Diagnosed with Stress Urinary Incontinence

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated application of pulsating low-frequency alternating electric and intense focused electromagnetic fields, as well as isolated exposure to intense focused electromagnetic fields in order to improve the quality of life of women with stress urinary incontinence. Design. Prospective randomized study. Key points. The study involved 105 menopausal and postmenopausal women aged 46-62 years (average age — 55.1 ± 4.4 years) with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence, the duration of the disease was 5.8 ± 2.5 years. The patients were divided into three groups with comparable clinical and functional characteristics: the main group (n = 35) received complex treatment, including high-intensity focused electromagnetic (VIFEM) therapy and electrostatic massage using a pulsating low-frequency alternating electric field, the comparison group (n = 35) underwent VIFEM therapy, the control group (n = 35) included women who were prescribed conservative treatment, including a bladder training program and behavioral therapy. The psychoemotional state and overall quality of life of the patients before and after treatment were assessed based on data obtained using a short form of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the QOL (Quality of Life) scale. Results. After the therapy, there was an improvement in QOL scores in the main group by 65.7% (p < 0.01), in the comparison group by 40% (p < 0.05) and in the control group by 8-18% (p > 0.05), as well as a decrease in the IIQ-7 questionnaire, especially in the main group — an average of 3.23 times, which was confirmed by a significant decrease in the sum of points: from the initial 13.6 ± 0.2 to 4.2 ± 0.02 after treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The combined use of pulsating low-frequency alternating electric and high-intensity focused electromagnetic fields in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women, compared with single exposure, provides a significant improvement in both the physical and emotional state of patients and significantly improves their quality of life, which allows it to be recommended for use in a wide clinical practice. Key words: stress urinary incontinence in women, the condition of the pelvic floor muscles, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles, pulsating low-frequency alternating electric field, intense focused electromagnetic field, improvement of quality of life.