Early 3‐month treatment with comprehensive physical therapy program restores continence in urinary incontinence patients after radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aims. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether an early three‐month treatment with electrotherapy and biofeedback restores continence in urinary incontinence patients after radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods. Design: The study performed a randomized, controlled trial of parallel and open groups. Configuration: Secondary care, urology department of a university hospital complex. Participants: Patients sent for RP due to prostate cancer (n = 60), 47 patients finally completed the study. Interventions: The treatment group (TG) received physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy and biofeedback, 3 days a week for 3 months, while the control group (CG) received no specific treatment. Both groups received a guide to perform pelvic floor exercises at home. The measurement instruments used were the 1‐ and 24‐hour pad tests and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short‐Form. The recording method used was a micturition (urinary) diary. Results. The results of the 1‐hour pad test (PT) show statistically significant differences between groups at 3 months ( P = .001) and 6 months ( P = .001), in favor of those in the TG. Sixty‐four percent of patients in the TG recovered continence as against 9.1% in the CG after 3 months in the 1‐hour PT, in line with the objective of this study. Conclusions. An early physiotherapy program helps RP patients with urinary incontinence recover continence after 3 months. Moreover, they lead a better quality life