Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in incontinent women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of three different pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) women. Material and Method: Sixty-eight eligible SUI women who could perform pelvic floor muscle contraction correctly were randomly allocated to the three different PFMT protocols, exercise every day (G1), exercise three days per week (G2), and exercise plus abdominal training three days per week (G3). The primary outcome was pad test. The secondary outcomes were pelvic floor muscle strength, and treatment satisfaction. The outcomes were evaluated before and after a 12-week of exercise. Results: The weights of pad were decreased by 2.6 ± 0.8, 2.3 ± 1.3, and 3.1 ± 1.3 grams for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference among the three groups. The pelvic floor muscle strength was increased by 18.4 ± 2.7, 13.9 ± 2.9, and 17.3 ± 3.0 cmH2O for group 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with statistical significant difference among groups (p < 0.00). The increased muscle strength in group 2 was significant less than the other two groups (p < 0.00). Treatment Satisfaction showed the leakage was improved with non-significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). No complications were seen in any of the groups. Conclusion: Even though the results showed non-significant decrease in pad's weight among the three training groups, the pelvic floor muscle strength were increased in all groups.