COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY AND TIBIAL NERVE STIMULATION IN URGE URINARY INCONTINENCE

Summary

Urge urinary incontinence is a prevalent condition characterized by involuntary leakage of urine accompanied by a sudden, compelling urge to void. It significantly impairs quality of life and is associated with substantial physical, psychological, and social burden. Noninvasive treatment modalities, including pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), have gained attention due to their safety and ease of application.

This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial conducted in women diagnosed with urge urinary incontinence. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: PEMF therapy or tibial nerve stimulation. Both interventions will be applied over a predefined treatment period under standardized conditions.

Outcome measures will include symptom severity, frequency of incontinence episodes, and quality of life, assessed using validated instruments such as the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), bladder diaries, and quality-of-life scales. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the treatment period.

The primary aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of PEMF therapy and tibial nerve stimulation in reducing urinary symptoms. Secondary objectives include evaluating improvements in quality of life and functional outcomes. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the optimization of noninvasive treatment strategies for urge urinary incontinence.

Conditions

• Urge Urinary Incontinence

Interventions

DEVICE

Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

Non-invasive pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy will be applied for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. The intervention will be administered over a 6-week period, consisting of 5 sessions per week during the first 2 weeks and 2 sessions per week during the following 4 weeks. Each session will be performed using a clinical magnetic stimulation device targeting pelvic floor muscles and associated neural pathways. The aim of the intervention is to improve bladder control by enhancing pelvic floor muscle activation and modulating neural reflex mechanisms involved in continence.

DEVICE

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)

Non-invasive tibial nerve stimulation applied for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. The intervention is administered over a 6-week period, consisting of 5 sessions per week during the first 2 weeks and 2 sessions per week during the following 4 weeks. The therapy aims to modulate sacral nerve pathways through stimulation of the tibial nerve.

BEHAVIORAL

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Program

A standardized pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program will be provided to all participants. The exercise program will be taught and supervised by a trained physiotherapist. Participants will be instructed to perform regular pelvic floor muscle contractions, including both slow and fast contractions, in accordance with current clinical guidelines. The exercises will be continued throughout the 6-week treatment period, and adherence will be monitored. The aim of the intervention is to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and coordination, thereby enhancing bladder control.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dilek Ün oguzhanasiltürk, MD · Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-30

Primary Completion

2027-03-31

Completion

2027-04-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations