Enuresis is urine leaking in kids old enough to have developed bladder control. Biofeedback training uses video games to help children learn to control the muscles needed for bladder control.

Published: March 28, 2019 | Updated: November 13, 2020

Enuresis refers to urine leaking in kids old enough to have developed bladder control. Enuresis can happen during the day (daytime wetting) or at night (nighttime wetting). Biofeedback training uses video games to help teach kids how to control the muscles used for holding urine and going to the bathroom.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a method that monitors and collects information on body processes that you can’t control, such as:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Respiratory rate
• Perspiration/sweating
• Skin temperature

Why would a urologist suggest biofeedback for enuresis (incontinence)?

A urologist may suggest biofeedback therapy if a child’s incontinence problems are caused by poor control of the pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback teaches children how to relax pelvic muscles so they can empty their bladder and to have better control over these muscles. Biofeedback may help children who:

• Cannot control their bladder during the day and have not had success with other therapies
• Continue to have accidents after a lot of bladder retraining
• Have had one or more urinary tract infections
• Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles instead of relaxing while going to the bathroom

Preparing for biofeedback: Flow rate test

Before the therapy, your child will need a flow rate test. A flow rate test shows how your child urinates, displaying how the muscles and nerves are working. Special stickers will be placed on a child’s bottom and hip to monitor his or her involuntary pelvic muscles. Your child will need to have a full bladder for the test, and he or she will urinate in a special toilet. After the flow rate test, a urologist may recommend biofeedback testing based on the results and your child’s medical history.

How does it work?

Like the flow rate test, biofeedback uses the special stickers placed on a child’s bottom and hip to monitor pelvic muscles. The child will then be able to play a special computer game which helps children learn to relax the pelvic floor muscles. After the game session, your child will be sent home with pelvic floor exercise homework. The exercises will reinforce what a child learns from the game.

The therapy may take several visits for a child to master the skills needed to beat incontinence. Some children may need several weeks or a few months of sessions.