Flat Magnetic Stimulation for Anal Incontinence: A Prospective Study

Marta Barba,1 Alice Cola,1 Ilaria Re,1 Desirèe De Vicari,1 Clarissa Costa,1 Matteo Frigerio,1 Benedetta Da Pozzo,1 Serena Maruccia2 1Department of Gynecology, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, 20900, Italy; 2Department of Urology, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Milano, 20142, ItalyCorrespondence: Matteo Frigerio, Email [email protected]: Magnetic Stimulation (MS) works on neuromuscular tissue by creating a specific electromagnetic field capable of inducing an intense muscular contraction thereby deeply stimulating pelvic floor muscles and restoring neuromuscular function in a non-invasive manner. Flat MS (FMS) has a more homogeneous electromagnetic field which permits a greater recruitment of muscle fibers. With this study we aimed to evaluate the severity of symptoms and quality of life before and after treatment with Flat Magnetic Stimulation in women with anal incontinence.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from September 2023 to December 2023. At baseline and after the treatment, sexual function and the severity of anal incontinence and were evaluated through validated St. Mark’s and the Female Sexual Function Index - 19 (FSFI-19) scores respectively. The subjective improvement rate was determined through the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire.Results: We observed that there was a significant improvement in the St.Mark score both absolute and stratified according to the degree of severity, whereas there was no evidence of improvement in sexual function, accessed with the FSFI-19 score.Conclusion: FMS represents an effective and safe non-invasive treatment for anal incontinence, resulting in patients’ QOL improvement and decrease of incontinence scores.Keywords: magnetic stimulation, anal incontinence, pelvic floor, quality of life