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Long‐term Effect of Pelvic Floor Exercises on Female Urinary Incontinence
Author(s) -
MOURITSEN L.,
FRIMODTMØLLER C.,
MØLLER M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1991.tb15252.x
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , pelvic floor , stress incontinence , cure rate , pelvic floor muscle , physical therapy , surgery , urology
Summary In order to assess the permanent effect of pelvic floor exercises on female stress incontinence, 76 incontinent women, referred for incontinence surgery, underwent a 3‐month exercise programme conducted by an experienced physiotherapist. The patients were followed up for 1 year. At the last assessment 30% were cured and 17% improved. Altogether 47% avoided surgery. No relapses were seen during the follow‐up period. Patients with mild incontinence benefited from intensified training, since 72% could expect to be cured, while patients with severe incontinence and no immediate effect did not benefit from further exercises. Patients with a positive hormone status and those with normal weight had a significantly higher cure rate. The subjective results were confirmed by the 24‐h pad test. Anal pressure profilometry was a valid method for instruction and objective control of pelvic floor function. It was concluded that pelvic floor exercises should precede surgery, since exercises had a permanent effect in half of the patients.