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Short‐term efficacy of group pelvic floor training under intensive supervision versus unsupervised home training for female stress urinary incontinence: A randomized pilot study
Author(s) -
Konstantinidou Eleni,
Apostolidis Apostolos,
Kondelidis Nikolaos,
Tsimtsiou Zoi,
Hatzichristou Dimitrios,
Ioannides Evangelos
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20380
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , pelvic floor , physical therapy , training (meteorology) , term (time) , randomized controlled trial , urinary system , physical medicine and rehabilitation , urology , surgery , physics , quantum mechanics , meteorology
Aims Current management guidelines propose pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as first line treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of group PFMT under intensive supervision to that of individual home therapy in women with SUI. Material and Methods Thirty women with clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI were randomized in two equal‐number groups. Following a common demonstration course, Group A women received a detailed schedule for home training, while Group B in addition attended a weekly hospital group visit. At 12 weeks both groups were assessed for changes in subjective and objective outcomes. Results Twenty‐two women, (10 Group A, 12 Group B) with a mean age of 47.3 years completed the study. Although significant ( P < 0.05) improvements were noted in both groups in quality of life scores, number of incontinence episodes/week, 24‐hr frequency, and endurance, repetitions and fast contractions upon vaginal assessment of the PFMs, comparative analysis at the end of the study demonstrated significantly better results for women in Group B, who also improved in daily pad usage, underwear wetting, modified Oxford grading of the PFMs and hold with cough. Consequently, significantly more women in Group B reported improvement in their continence (100% vs. 20% in Group A). Conclusions Group PFMT under intensive supervision produced significantly better improvements in primary and secondary outcomes in the short‐term compared to individual, unsupervised home application of PFMT. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:486–491, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.