Effect of magnetic therapy in bladder dysfunction and quality of life in paraplegic patients.

Background: Urinary dysfunction is linked to spinal cord injury (SCI). The quality of life (QoL) declines in both neurogenic bladder impairment and non-disordered patients.

Objective: To ascertain the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic therapy on urinary impairment and QoL in individuals with traumatic incomplete SCI.

Methods: This study included forty male paraplegic subjects with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) for more than one year following incomplete SCI between T6-T12. Their ages ranged from 20 to 35 and they engaged in therapy for three months. The subjects were divided into two groups of equal size. Individuals in Group I were managed via pulsed magnetic therapy once per week plus pelvic floor training three times a week. Individuals in Group II were managed with only three times a week for pelvic floor training. All patients were examined for bladder cystometric investigations, pelvic-floor electromyography (EMG), and SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.

Results: There was a noteworthy increment in individuals in Group I in volume of bladder at first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity, detrusor pressure at Qmax, and maximum flow rate. There was a momentous increment in Group I in measures of evaluation of EMG biofeedback. There was a notable rise in Group I in SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.

Conclusion: Magnetic stimulation should be favored as beneficial adjunct to traditional therapy in the management of bladder impairment and enhancing QoL in individuals with SCI.