Magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor seems to be an effective treatment for children with an overactive bladder, according to a new report.

Dr. Sang Won Han and colleagues from Yonsei University College of Medicine, in Seoul, Korea, examined the effect of magnetic therapy in 42 such children

The children were grouped according to their symptoms into three categories: those that had voiding urgency and involuntary urinary leakage; those that had nighttime bedwetting only and no daytime incontinence; or those having both daytime and nighttime incontinence.

Magnetic stimulation was administered twice a week for 4 weeks using a size-adjusted magnetic chair. Each session lasted 20 minutes. Results of the study are published in the British Journal of Urology International.

After all magnetic stimulation treatment sessions, the average daily voiding frequency decreased significantly in the group with urge incontinence and in the kids with both daytime incontinence and nocturnal enuresis. A significant decrease in the frequency of urge incontinence was also observed in these groups, Han and colleagues report.

Children with only nighttime bedwetting also had a significant decrease in episodes.

The researchers noted increases in the average bladder capacity in all of the groups.

The team calls for further studies on the duration of stimulation, combined treatments, and studies comparing magnetic therapy with sham stimulation.

SOURCE: British Journal of Urology International, June 2005.