Role Of Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy In Obese Perimenopausal Females With Stress Incontinence: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

ObjectivePelvic floor muscle exercises are effective in treating stress incontinence, yet prevention studies demonstrate equivocal findings. This study identifies the presence of stress urinary incontinence and compares the role of conservative physiotherapy management in perineal muscle function among obese, older Saudi women.MethodsRandomized controlled trial of perimenopausal overweight women recruited from Jazan general hospital, KSA. Data were collected from 2010-2011. Females were randomized to an intervention (n = 29) and control group (n = 27). The intervention group received regular pelvic floor muscle exercise training (8-12 maximal contractions) taught at the physiotherapy clinic with repeated sessions at home for a period of three months. ResultsThe intervention group reported fewer episodes of incontinence and a better score on the visual analogue scale and periniometry, indicating better pelvic floor muscle function.ConclusionPelvic floor muscle treatment is most beneficial in older obese multiparous women with stress urinary incontinence who participate in a supervised pelvic floor muscle training program for at least three months.