Non-invasive treatment of urinary incontinence using extracorporeal magnetic innervation – literature review

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence significantly impairs the quality of life. The main conservative treatment approaches include pelvic floor muscle training, electrostimulation, biofeedback, and magnetotherapy. The European Association of Urology (EAU) recommends pelvic floor muscle training as the first-line therapy for stress urinary incontinence. A modern, non-invasive alternative is extracorporeal magnetic innervation (ExMI).

Methods: A literature review focused on the effectiveness of ExMI in women with urinary incontinence. Sources included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, peer-reviewed articles, official guidelines, and relevant websites. RCTs published between 2010 and 2025 were specifically analyzed. The databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched. A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and compared the effect of ExMI with other conservative methods or with a control group receiving no treatment.

Results: Between 70% and 85% of women experienced a reduction in the frequency of urine leakage. Up to 80% of patients reported an improvement in quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle strength increased by an average of 20–30%. Adverse effects were rare and mild, most commonly transient muscle fatigue. Patients treated with ExMI achieved statistically significantly better outcomes than those in the control group. However, the reviewed studies varied in intervention protocols, population characteristics, and outcome measures.

Conclusions: ExMI appears to be an effective, safe, and non-invasive treatment for women with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence. It contributes to improved pelvic floor muscle function, reduces urinary leakage, and positively affects psychological well-being. It is particularly suitable for women who are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery or intensive physical therapy. The effectiveness of ExMI may be influenced by individual factors such as age and symptom severity. Further research is necessary to determine optimal treatment protocols and the long-term efficacy of this method.