Efficacy of Core Stabilization Exercises in Women with Stress and Stress-Dominant Mixed Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises combined with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT, Kegel exercises) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) on pelvic floor muscle strength, incontinence parameters, and quality of life scores.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled study included 60 women diagnosed with SUI or stress-dominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group, which performed both core and Kegel exercises, and the control group, which engaged only in Kegel exercises. Evaluations were conducted immediately after the intervention and at the 10-week follow-up using digital palpation, perineometer, bladder diaries, pad tests, and quality of life assessments, including UDI-6, IIQ-7, ISI, and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ).

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in the frequency and severity of incontinence, as well as improvements in quality of life scores. However, while the intervention group exhibited sustained benefits at the 10th-week follow-up, improvements in the control group regressed over time.

Conclusions: The addition of core stabilization exercises to Kegel exercises did not yield significant short-term differences; however, at follow-up, the core exercise group maintained significantly better outcomes compared to the control group. These findings suggest that, in women diagnosed with SUI, core stabilization exercises enhance pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance more sustainably than Kegel exercises alone.