The HIFEM™ Treatment of Stress and Mixed Urinary Incontinence in Parous Women: A Case Series Study

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts the quality of life, necessitating a range of treatments, from behavioral changes to surgical interventions. Electromagnetic muscle stimulation (HIFEM™) therapy presents an innovative, non-invasive approach to strengthening pelvic floor muscle...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lubomír Mikulášek, Dragana Žarković
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Uro
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4397/5/2/9
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Summary:Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts the quality of life, necessitating a range of treatments, from behavioral changes to surgical interventions. Electromagnetic muscle stimulation (HIFEM™) therapy presents an innovative, non-invasive approach to strengthening pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). Subjects and Methods: This retrospective, non-interventional case series study explores the efficacy and safety of HIFEM™ treatment in parous women experiencing stress (SUI) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Nineteen women (mean age 54 ± 16) underwent six HIFEM™ sessions, with symptom progression tracked using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), along with comfort and satisfaction questionnaires. Results: At baseline, the mean ICIQ-UI SF score was 7.9 ± 4.2 points. By the final questionnaire administration, the average score had dropped to 4.7 ± 3.5, reflecting a 50.6% reduction from baseline (<i>p</i> < 0.001). According to ICIQ-UI SF Item 6, 21% of subjects achieved complete continence. Additionally, the percentage of subjects experiencing urine leakage before reaching the toilet declined by 40% after the sixth treatment. Post treatment, the number of subjects who leaked urine while coughing or sneezing decreased by 50%. Conclusions: The treatment has shown high efficacy in lowering the ICIQ-SF scores across the study group, with a significant number of subjects regaining entire continence.
ISSN:2673-4397