Pelvic Floor Chair vs. Elitone: The Main Differences
The most important difference between an electromagnetic pelvic floor chair and Elitone is not simply that one is a chair and the other is wearable. They deliver stimulation in fundamentally different ways.
A pelvic floor chair generates an electromagnetic field that activates the pelvic floor while the patient sits on the chair. Elitone places electrical stimulation close to the targeted muscles through an external GelPad worn against the skin.
Both approaches produce involuntary pelvic floor muscle contractions, so neither depends on the user correctly coordinating every contraction. However, their treatment schedules, locations, costs, and maintenance requirements are different.
Chair-based systems concentrate treatment into a limited number of appointments but require travel to a participating provider. Elitone involves more frequent sessions over several weeks, but treatment can be completed privately at home while doing other things.
Treatment Location and Convenience
Pelvic floor chairs require scheduled office visits
A pelvic floor chair may be convenient for someone who prefers having each session administered by a provider. Once the appointment begins, the patient simply remains seated on the chair for the prescribed treatment.
The tradeoff is that each treatment requires scheduling, travel, and time at the clinic. Availability may also depend on whether a participating provider is located nearby.
If maintenance treatments are recommended later, the patient must return to a provider with a compatible chair. Treatment cannot be continued independently at home.
Elitone is designed for home use
Elitone allows treatment to fit into a normal daily routine. The GelPad fits in approximately the same area where a normal absorbent pad would go, and the controller clips to clothing.
Treatment can be completed while working, cooking, folding laundry, walking around the house, or relaxing. Unlike chair-based treatment, using Elitone does not require setting aside time to travel to and from an appointment.
For women who have difficulty scheduling repeated office visits, live far from a participating provider, or prefer to treat bladder leaks privately, at-home use may be a significant advantage.
Learn more about how Elitone works and how its external GelPad activates the pelvic floor.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
The cost of an electromagnetic pelvic floor chair treatment series varies by provider, manufacturer, treatment schedule, and geographic area. Because the chair is owned and operated by the practice, patients generally pay for a package of individual sessions, typically totally more than $1200.
Before purchasing a chair-based treatment package, ask how many sessions are included, whether follow-up assessments are provided, and whether future maintenance sessions will cost extra.
Elitone is purchased as a personal medical device. The current retail price starts at $429, with payment plan options available.
Pelvic floor chair treatments are commonly presented as self-pay services. Elitone is eligible for payment with HSA or FSA funds. It is also covered by Original Medicare and certain private insurance plans when medical requirements are met and a prescription is obtained. Coverage and patient responsibility depend on the individual insurance plan.
When comparing prices, consider the entire initial treatment course and the expected cost of maintenance, not simply the advertised price of one session.
Effectiveness and Clinical Evidence
Clinical research has reported improvements in urinary incontinence symptoms after both chair-based electromagnetic stimulation and surface-applied electrical stimulation. However, the available products have not been compared in a large, independent head-to-head clinical trial.
Studies may enroll different types of patients and use different treatment schedules, devices, outcome measurements, and follow-up periods. Results from separate studies therefore should not be interpreted as proof that one treatment is more effective than the other.
Evidence for electromagnetic pelvic floor chairs
Published studies of HIFEM and other forms of chair-based magnetic pelvic floor stimulation have reported improvements in urinary incontinence symptoms, pelvic floor function, pad-test results, and quality-of-life measurements.
The overall body of research continues to develop. Studies differ in design, the technology evaluated, patient selection, treatment protocol, comparison group, and length of follow-up. Results for one chair or treatment protocol may not necessarily apply to every electromagnetic pelvic floor chair.
Evidence for Elitone
Elitone has been evaluated in multiple clinical studies. In studies supporting its use for stress urinary incontinence, women experienced an average leak reduction of more than 70% after six weeks, and 95% of participants experienced fewer leaks. Pad use and incontinence-related quality of life also improved.
Elitone Urge uses a different stimulation program designed for urgency leaks and overactive bladder. In its clinical study, 97% of participants experienced some reduction in urge leaks after six weeks, while 76% achieved a clinically significant reduction.
These results represent averages from study populations. Individual results vary, and some women may need a different treatment or a combination of approaches.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
An electromagnetic pelvic floor chair may be worth considering if you:
- Prefer treatment administered in a provider’s office
- Can attend multiple scheduled appointments
- Have been evaluated by a provider who recommends chair-based treatment
- Are comfortable returning to the provider for possible maintenance sessions
Elitone may be worth considering if you:
- Want to complete treatment privately at home
- Prefer a device you own and can reuse for maintenance
- Do not want to schedule repeated clinic visits
- Want to move around or complete other activities during treatment
- Want to explore Medicare or private insurance coverage
Your type of incontinence matters
Stress incontinence causes leakage when physical pressure is placed on the bladder, such as during coughing, laughing, sneezing, jumping, lifting, or exercise. Standard Elitone is intended to treat stress and mixed urinary incontinence.
Urge incontinence involves a sudden, difficult-to-control need to urinate that may be followed by leakage before reaching a bathroom. Women whose primary symptom is urgency should consider Elitone Urge.
If you are unsure which type of leakage you have, review the differences between stress and urge incontinence before selecting a treatment.
When to speak with a healthcare provider first
You should review contraindications before beginning either treatment. Electromagnetic and electrical stimulation devices may not be appropriate for people with certain implanted electronic devices, metal implants, pregnancy, or other medical conditions.
The contraindications are not identical across products. Follow the instructions for the specific chair or at-home device being considered and discuss any questions with a qualified healthcare provider.
Other Treatment Options
A pelvic floor device is not the only way to treat urinary incontinence. Depending on the type, cause, and severity of leakage, a treatment plan may include:
- Pelvic floor exercises or pelvic floor physical therapy
- Bladder training and scheduled bathroom visits
- Changes in fluid intake or caffeine consumption
- Constipation management
- Weight management when appropriate
- Medication for overactive bladder
- Pessaries or other support devices for stress incontinence
- Urethral bulking injections
- Neuromodulation treatments
- Surgery for stress urinary incontinence
Some women use electrical or electromagnetic stimulation alongside pelvic floor physical therapy. A pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate muscle strength, coordination, endurance, and excessive muscle tension before recommending an individualized plan.
For a broader comparison, review treatment options for stress urinary incontinence.
Choosing Between an Incontinence Chair and an At-Home Device
There is no single pelvic floor treatment that is best for every woman. An electromagnetic pelvic floor chair offers a fully clothed, provider-administered experience. Elitone offers an external, wearable treatment that can be used privately at home while you go about your day.
The most useful comparison is not simply how many contractions a manufacturer says its device produces. Consider whether the treatment matches your type of leakage, whether you can follow the recommended schedule, how future maintenance will work, and what the full cost will be.
If flexibility, privacy, and the ability to continue treatment at home are priorities, explore Elitone for stress and mixed incontinence.
Disclosure: Elidah, Inc., the publisher of this article, manufactures Elitone and Elitone Urge. Information about electromagnetic pelvic floor chairs is included to help readers understand the differences between commonly considered noninvasive treatment approaches. Elidah is not affiliated with the manufacturers of these chair-based systems.
