Are Interferential Electrical Stimulation and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Beneficial in Children With Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction?

Objective To evaluate the effects of interferential current (IC) stimulation and diaphragmatic breathing exercises (DBEs) in children with bladder and bowel dysfunction. Patients and Methods Seventy-nine children with dysfunctional voiding and chronic constipation who were failures of primary care interventions were included in the prospective clinical study. All the children were checked for their medical history regarding lower urinary tract symptoms and bowel habits. Physical examination, including abdominal and anorectal digital examination, was performed. Children kept a bladder and bowel diary, and underwent urinalyses and urine culture, ultrasound examination of bladder and kidneys, and uroflowmetry with pelvic floor electromyography. Eligible children were divided into 3 groups (A, B, and C). All groups were assigned education and behavioral modifications. Additionally, group A underwent DBEs and IC stimulation, whereas group B received only DBEs. The treatment was conducted for 2 weeks in the clinic in all 3 groups,. The behavioral modifications and DBEs were continued at home for 1 month. Clinical manifestations, uroflowmetry parameters, and postvoided residual urine were analyzed before and after 6 weeks of therapy. Results After the treatment, significant improvement in defecation frequency and fecal incontinence was noticed only in group A ( P