The conservative management of patients with symptoms of stress incontinence: a randomized, prospective study comparing weighted vaginal cones and interferential therapy

Sixty-nine female patients with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence were randomized to treatment with either interferential therapy or weighted vaginal cones. Fifty-four patients completed treatment (interferential therapy, 30 patients; weighted vaginal cones, 24 patients). Patients were assessed by subjective response, pad testing, continence charts, and the maximum weight of cone that could be held actively and passively. Forty-seven patients were reassessed at 6 months (19 cones; 28 interferential), five patients (9.26%) required surgery, and two patients (3.7%) could not be reassessed. Subjective response to treatment was good, with 80% to 90% of patients cured or improved after treatment. After 6 months, 41.67% in the cone group and 40% in the interferential group were subjectively cured, with improvement in 50% and 30%, respectively. Of those patients initially referred for treatment, greater than 30% in each group were cured of symptoms. There was an objective improvement in both groups. In the cone group 50% had improved after treatment and greater than 60% had improved at 6 months as assessed by pad testing, while in the interferential group 76% had improved after treatment and 73% had improved at 6 months. There was no significant difference in improvement between the two groups in any of the methods of assessment. However, the cones require less supervision by trained staff and can be used at home by the patient. Their use results in a savings in time for the physiotherapy department. The use of the cones is recommended as a cost-effective method of treatment that can be added to the present therapy options available to the physiotherapist.