Basing on our experience with 39 patients with severe urge incontinence (in 
one-quarter of the cases pure urge incontinence, in one-half of the cases mixed 
incontinence and in a further quarter of the cases neurogenic bladder disorders) 
a supervised programme (mictiogram) and a well-tried therapy (especially in the 
Anglo-Saxon countries) consisting of the triad hospitalisation/bladder 
training/medication therapy are presented. After an average hospitalisation 
period of 14 days, we were able to achieve a symptom-free state in 94% of the 
patients. Cure was achieved on a long-term basis in 76%. Failure of conservative 
therapy was due especially to severe neurogenic bladder disorders, followed by 
urethral obstructive insufficiency that cannot be influenced. The superimposed 
psychic cause of urge incontinence that should not be underestimated and often 
presents as a transference of unresolved emotional needs (51% of our group are 
psychologically unstable), is discussed. With these facts in mind, our therapy 
concept is translated into reality. Hospitalisation brings about a change in 
surroundings, making the supervision of bladder training and adjustment to 
medication easier, thus supplying the basis for patient compliance and success 
of follow-up therapy subsequent to hospitalisation and discharge from hospital.