This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Low intensity extracorporeal low energy shock wave therapy (LiESWT) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The investigation was a single-arm, open-label, multicentre study conducted in Taiwan. 50 female patients with SUI received LiESWT-treated with 0.25 mJ/mm2 intensity, 3000 pulses, and 3 pulses/second, once weekly for 4-weeks (W4) and 8-weeks (W8). The pad test, uroflowmetry, life quality questionnaires, and 3-day urinary diary measurement were performed before and after LiESWT intervention. The results revealed that 8-week of LiESWT treatment meaningfully improved urine leakage (pad test), maximum flow rate, post-voided residual urine, average urine volume, functional bladder capacity, urinary frequency, urgency symptom, and nocturia, which also persisted to show significant improvements at 1-month follow up (F1). Moreover, bothersome questionnaires scores were significantly improved at W4, W8, and F1 as compared to the baseline (W0). These results indicated that 8 weeks of LiESWT attenuated SUI symptoms on physical activity, reduced bladder leaks and overactive bladder (OAB), implying that LiESWT brought significant improvement in the quality of life. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04059133).
