The Effectiveness of Bladder Training in Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is often a cause of depression, social isolation and a decline in general health and quality of life. The International Consultation on Incontinence guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy as a first-line therapy in OAB patients. Behavioral therapy modalities include dietary modification, pelvic floor muscle exercise, biofeedback, and bladder training (BT) among other bladder control programs. Pharmacotherapy and neuromodulation can be added if these measures fail to control symptoms. Behavioral intervention is suitable for primary care setting. The efficacy of BT on OAB symptoms has been reported as resolution of symptoms ranging from 12 % to 90 %, and improvement ranging from 57 % to 87 %. However, such protocols for BT vary from study to study, and not many studies report on its efficacy on OAB. Considering the increasing prevalence of OAB and the increasing need for a systematized protocol for BT we aimed to provide an overview of evidence supporting BT for OAB patients, to examine its efficacy, and to provide useful information on its clinical application.