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Pelvic floor muscle training improves quality of life of women with urinary incontinence: a prospective study
Author(s) -
Fan Hiu Lan,
Chan Symphorosa Shing Chee,
Law Tracy Sze Man,
Cheung Rachel Yau Kar,
Chung Tony Kwok Hung
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12075
Subject(s) - urinary incontinence , medicine , pelvic floor muscle , quality of life (healthcare) , urinary system , urology , overactive bladder , physical therapy , nursing , pathology , alternative medicine
Background Women suffering from urinary incontinence have impaired quality of life ( Q o L ). Pelvic floor muscle training ( PFMT ) has been recommended to be the first‐line treatment for them. Aims This study evaluated the role of ( PFMT ) in women with urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods All women suffering from urinary incontinence without pelvic organ prolapse who attended the urogynaecology unit of a university hospital from January 2009 to June 2010 were recruited. Urinary symptoms and impact on Q o L were assessed using the C hinese validated U rogenital D istress I nventory short form ( UDI ‐6) and I ncontinence I mpact Q uestionnaire short form ( IIQ ‐7) before and after PFMT . Urodynamic studies ( UDS ) were used to differentiate the diagnoses of urinary incontinence. Results Three hundred and seventy‐two women, aged 52.3 ± 10.8 years and practised PFMT for 9.9 ± 7.3 months, completed the study. Over 65% recorded improvement in both UDI ‐6 and IIQ ‐7. Stratified for urodynamic diagnosis, stress incontinence group and those who had no UDS abnormality had significant improvement in their urinary symptoms and Q o L after PFMT . UDI ‐6 and IIQ ‐7 also improved significantly after PFMT in groups where the clinical presentation was stress incontinence, overactive bladder symptoms or mixed urinary incontinence. Age was not associated with a significant difference in the response to PFMT . Conclusions Pelvic floor muscle training appears to be an effective first‐line intervention for improving urinary symptoms and Q o L of women presenting with urinary incontinence. Future studies on long‐term effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness are also required.