This is a prospective comparative clinical study. This study aimed to compare the effects of intravaginal electrical stimulation therapy (IS) and the tibial nerve (TNS) on quality of life (QOL) and complaints of urinary incontinence in women with overactive bladder. Participants 42 patients with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence (UI) mix and were divided for treatment with IS or TNS. To assess QOL we used a generic QOL questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and a specific questionnaire for urinary incontinence, the Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument (I-QOL). The reports of urinary incontinence and discomfort caused were evaluated, respectively, through the 24-hour voiding diary and visual analog scale (VAS). Treatment was performed once a week, twelve weeks in total. The PTNS group had significant improvement in three areas of the I-QOL in VAS, which assessed the degree of discomfort caused by IU and four aspects of voiding diary. In the IS group significantly improved in two domains of the SF-36 domains of the three I-QOL in VAS and on four issues of the journal. There was improvement in QOL in both groups, as well as a decrease in complaints of urinary leakage, however, the group that received IS had been improved scores in two areas of the generic QOL questionnaire after treatment, which were limited by the physical limitation and by emotional aspects. What did not happen with the group of TNS.
physiotherapy; overactive detrusor; electric stimulation; quality of life; tibial nerve
