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Biofeedback & Incontinence Biofeedback or Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy (PFMT) has been proven effective in the treatment of urinary incontinence in numerous research studies. It can be used to help people learn to control and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This group of muscles that play a very important role in bladder control and continence. Weakness or dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can lead to problems with both bladder and rectal support and control. (Originating in the body) + (Presenting in a form we can understand)
How is biofeedback used to treat incontinence and bladder problems?
Because you cannot see the pelvic floor muscles, you may have found it difficult to locate them.
Perhaps you are uncertain if you are doing the exercises correctly. This is where biofeedback can help. Biofeedback therapy uses computer graphs and audible tones to show you the muscles you are exercising. It also allows the nurse to measure your muscle strengthen and individualize your exercise program. It does not do anything to your muscles. It is a teaching tool to help you learn to control and strengthen the pelvic floor area. This type of therapy teaches you how to use this information to control the 'involuntary' activities. In the case of urinary incontinence, it can help you re-educate and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, particularly if your muscles are weak and you don’t know how to produce a contraction.
What kind of incontinence can it help?
Biofeedback is used for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI).
What is it?
Electromyography (EMG): An electrical vaginal sensor (for women) and rectal sensor (for men) is used to measure the electrical activity of your muscles at rest and when they contact. The feedback for this activity is presented in the form of graphs on a computer screen. The sensor does not cause pain or discomfort. Most patients insert the sensor themselves and remain fully clothed during their sessions.
How effective is it? Research has shown that after four weeks of pelvic floor muscle biofeedback: Daytime symptoms decreased by 10 per cent and night-time symptoms decreased by 36% for those who had biofeedback. 28% of women who had done the physical therapy and 62% of those who had biofeedback said they were cured.
How does the treatment help incontinence?
It can be used to teach correct pelvic floor exercise methods. Because you can see what is happening, you are more motivated to work on the muscles and stick with a program that is helping you progress toward continence.For urge incontinence, the biofeedback can help you learn to relax your bladder long enough to let you reach the toilet.
How does the treatment work? Biofeedback tells you when your bladder and urethral muscles contract. This information will help you gain awareness and control of your urinary tract muscles.Over time, strength, tone and control will enhance your continence. This means that weak muscles can be better activated on demand, muscles that are too tense can be relaxed and overall muscle activity can be coordinated.
Electrodes that are placed on your abdomen will help you and your continence care nurse identify whether you are recruiting the wrong muslces to work your pelvic floor.
A sensor will be placed (or your will place) in the vagina (or the rectum for men) to monitor contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.The monitor will show you which muscles are contracting and which are at rest. Sessions are recorded so you and your clinician can compare weekly sessions and you will visually monitor progress.
Weekly treatment usually last 8-10 weeks and last approximately one hour. Treatments are given by a nurse or physician that specializes in continence care.
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