Physiotherapy for continence and muscle function in prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of pre- and postoperative supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the recovery of continence and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Patients And Methods: We carried out a single-blind randomised controlled trial involving 54 male patients scheduled to undergo RARP. The intervention group started supervised PFMT 2 months before RARP and continued for 12 months after surgery with a physiotherapist.

Morphological examination of pelvic floor muscles in a rat model of vaginal delivery.

Objective: This study investigated morphological changes in the composition of the pelvic floor muscles, degree of atrophy, and urethral function in a rat of simulated birth trauma induced by vaginal distension (VD) model.

Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into four groups: a sham group, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-VD (1 W, 2 W, and 4 W, respectively) groups. We measured the amplitude of urethral response to electrical stimulation (A-URE) to evaluate urethral function.

Episodes of Febrile Urinary Tract Infections Occur More Often in the Winter in Patients with Spina Bifida.

Objective: Febrile urinary tract infections, which commonly occur in spina bifida patients, can cause renal dysfunction. To help prevent febrile urinary tract infection occurrence, a better understanding of any seasonal tendencies would be beneficial.

Materials And Methods: Study points evaluated included: (i) with or without febrile urinary tract infections, (ii) type of urinary management in patients with febrile urinary tract infections, (iii) number of febrile urinary tract infection occurrences, and (iv) season associated with episode.

Detrusor-Overactivity-Related Voiding in Women Mimics Bladder Outflow Obstruction and Conceals Underactivity.

Objective: Urodynamics of the storage phase showing detrusor overactivity is com- mon in neurogenic bladder patients. Terminal detrusor overactivity, which is defined by involuntary detrusor contraction that cannot be inhibited, causes urinary incon- tinence. Such incontinence causes a unique voiding in neurogenic bladder patients.

Effects of a new selective β -adrenoceptor agonist, vibegron, on bladder and urethral function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons induces not only motor dysfunction but also lower urinary tract dysfunction. Patients with Parkinson's disease have recently been reported to experience both urge urinary incontinence (overactive bladder) and stress urinary incontinence, the latter of which occurs when the pressure of the bladder exceeds that of the urethra. Vibegron is a highly selective novel β -adrenoceptor agonist approved for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Urodynamic evaluation of the efficacy of vibegron, a new β3-adrenergic receptor agonist, on lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents with overactive bladder.

Introduction: Idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) is defined as an urgency symptom with or without urge incontinence, which is not due to known neurological abnormalities. Since children present with variable symptoms, pediatric nonneurogenic idiopathic OAB is a condition that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Although there are few reports on bladder function in pediatric patients compared to adult patients, it can be useful for diagnosis.

Evaluation of pelvic floor muscle elasticity in patients with overactive bladder syndrome using real-time tissue elastography.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle elasticity of the striated urethral sphincter (SUS) using real-time tissue elastography (RTE) as an evaluation of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function between overactive bladder (OAB) patients and healthy women.

Methods: The subjects were 8 healthy middle-aged women (healthy group; age range 57-65 years) and 9 female OAB patients (OAB group; age range 42-80 years). The target sites of elastography were the striated urethral sphincter (SUS) and adipose tissue as the reference site; muscle elasticity was calculated as the strain ratio (SR) of the SUS to the reference site.

Mechanisms of D1/D2-like dopaminergic agonist, rotigotine, on lower urinary tract function in rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. As activation of dopaminergic receptors is fundamentally involved in the micturition reflex in PD, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of a single dose of rotigotine ([-]2-(N-propyl-N-2-thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin) on intercontraction interval (ICI) and voiding pressure (VP) in a rat model of PD. We used 27 female rats, PD was induced by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 8 μg in 2 μL of 0.

Can ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness be a useful adjunct for regular urodynamics in children with spina bifida?

Introduction: Spina bifida is a major cause of neurologic bladder dysfunction among children. The goal of neurogenic bladder treatment is to preserve renal function. Close follow-up is essential, as lower urinary tract functions can change with patient growth.

Examination of pelvic floor muscle elasticity in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome using real-time tissue elastography.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The aim was to compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) elasticity between interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients and healthy women using real-time tissue elastography.

Methods: The subjects were 17 IC/BPS female patients (IC/BPS group; age 34-84 years), 10 healthy middle-aged women (middle-aged group; 50-80 years), and 17 healthy young adult women (young group; 23-37 years). The target sites of elastography were the striated urethral sphincter (SUS) and adipose tissue as the reference site; muscle elasticity was calculated as the strain ratio (SR) of the SUS to the reference site.

Are sham-operated mice a valid comparator in studies using a bladder outlet obstruction model? A pitfall reveals a meaningful insight.

Objective: To evaluate voiding behavior characteristics in intact and sham mice, and to examine whether intact mice show changes in "normal" micturition with aging.

Methods: A total of 72 8-week-old mice were divided into two groups - intact and sham - and the latter group was subjected to a sham of partial bladder outlet obstruction surgery. Urination frequency was evaluated (through metabolic cages) at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery (or at the equivalent time points for the intact mice).

Reliability and validity of pelvic floor muscle strength assessment using the MizCure perineometer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the reliability and validity of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength assessment using the MizCure perineometer in healthy women.

Methods: Twenty healthy women (age 20-45 years) participated in this study. The vaginal pressure measured using the MizCure and validated Peritron perineometers were repeated during PFM contraction in the supine and standing positions.

Long-term administration of alpha-1 blocker can reverse the micturition pattern in a bladder outlet obstruction murine model.

Objective: To investigate the effect of chronic administration of an alpha-1 blocker on micturition patterns in long-term partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: a normal group, in which animals were fed a standard diet; a partial bladder outlet obstruction group, in which the proximal urethra was tied and animals were fed a standard diet; and a partial bladder outlet obstruction + naftopidil group, in which the proximal urethra was tied and animals were fed a standard diet containing naftopidil. Micturition behavior was evaluated in all groups for 6 months after partial bladder outlet obstruction surgery.

Animal Model for Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

Although Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and subsequent motor symptoms, various non-motor symptoms often precede these other symptoms. While motor symptoms are certainly burdensome, a wide range of non-motor symptoms have emerged as the key determinant of the quality of life in PD patients. The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms differs according to the study, with ranges between 27% and 63.

Bladder outlet obstruction disrupts circadian bladder function in mice.

The circadian clock programs daily rhythms and coordinates multiple behavioural processes, including micturition. Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) in mice produces hyperactive voiding. However, long-term effects of pBOO on bladder function have not been clarified.

Lower urinary tract function improves after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for elderly patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is relatively common in the elderly population. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) has been reported by several studies to be a less invasive treatment option as compared to open sacrocolpopexy. However, almost all prior reports focused on the complications or surgical obstacles.

Reliability of manometry for assessing pelvic floor muscle function in healthy men.

Objectives: To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined the reliability of assessment methods for male pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the reliability of manometry with an anal sensor (Peritron cat 9300A) to assess PFM function in healthy men.

Methods: Healthy male subjects (n = 21) without urinary leakage underwent testing to assess PFM function, and intra- and interrater reliability tests among examiners were performed.

Dopaminergic urethral closure mechanisms in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Aims: Urinary incontinence is prevalent among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we investigated urethral functions in a rat model of PD induced by 6-hydroxydopamine injection at their substantia nigra pars compacta as well as the roles of selective agonists/antagonist of dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors in active urethral closure mechanisms.

Methods: We measured changes in the urethral pressure amplitude during electrical stimulation, urethral baseline pressure, and leak point pressure after intravenous administration of selective agonists or antagonists of the dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors in a rat model of PD.

Evaluating pelvic floor muscle contractility using two-dimensional transperineal ultrasonography in patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

Aim: The hiatal anterior-posterior distance (APD), as measured by two-dimensional (2D) transperineal ultrasonography, is an indicator of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractility. The function of the pelvic floor is independently related to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) severity. However, little evidence concerning the APD for patients with POP before and after PFM training (PFMT) has been published.

Medium-term follow-up after supervised pelvic floor muscle training for patients with anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine changes in quality of life, urogenital symptoms, and adherence to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the medium term.

Study Design: The present study conducted a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design. Of 29 participants in 4-month supervised PFMT, 27 completed all assessments in a follow-up study.

Long-term Outcome of Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Male Parkinson Disease Patients.

Objectives: In addition to motor symptoms, bladder dysfunction is a major clinical issue in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Istradefylline is adenosine A2A receptor antagonist approved for PD patients with wearing-off symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of istradefylline on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in PD patients.

Effect of a 5-HT2c receptor agonist on urethral closure mechanisms in female rats.

Aims: The serotonin (5-HT2c) receptor is known to be involved in the mechanism of urethral closure in a model of stress incontinence. Lorcaserin (Belviq®) has received Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of obesity. However, it is unclear whether this selective 5-HT2c receptor agonist enhances urethral closure in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) models.

Benefits and limitations of animal models in partial bladder outlet obstruction for translational research.

The functions of the lower urinary tract have been investigated for more than a century. Lower urinary tract symptoms, such as incomplete bladder emptying, weak urine stream, daytime urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence and nocturia after partial bladder outlet obstruction, is a frequent cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia in aging men. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Physical activity and pelvic floor muscle training in patients with pelvic organ prolapse: a pilot study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The details of the physical activity in patients with mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse (Pmoderate pelvic organ prolapse (POP) remain under-studied. The purpose of the present study was to investigate objective physical activity levels and the changes in pelvic floor muscle(PFM) strength, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) between before and after PFM training (PFMT) in patients with POP.

Methods: In a prospective pilot study, 29 patients with stage II or III POP completed approximately 16 weeks of PFMT.