Is hyacinth exercise better than pelvic floor exercise alone for urinary incontinence: A randomized trial

Urinary Incontinence (UI) negatively impact women’s physical, psychological and health-related quality of life. Pelvic strengthening exercise is the first line management in UI. We hypothesized that Hyacinth exercise is better than Pelvic Floor Exercise (PFE) in strengthening pelvic floor muscles, thus reducing female urinary incontinence. This randomized controlled trial involved 180 women with UI. Participants were taught on either Hyacinth exercise or PFE alone. Improvement in urinary symptoms and pelvic muscle strength were evaluated using a validated female pelvic floor questionnaire and objectively measured at 2 months and 6 months. Significant improvement in urinary symptoms and pelvic muscle strength post treatment at 2 months and 6 months was seen in both groups with p≤0.001. Although earlier improvement seen in Hyacinth group, it did not reach level of significant when compared, between the two exercises. Mean bladder score (PFE vs Hyacinth arm) 9.13±6.54 vs. 8.74±5.21, p=0.93 (2 months) and 5.80±4.15 vs. 5.79±4.22, p=0.92 (6 months). Although there was no statistical difference between the two groups for our primary and secondary outcomes, Hyacinth group demonstrated earlier improvement in urinary symptoms at 2 months.