Criteria for therapeutic use of pelvic floor muscle training in women.
Success in pelvic floor muscle training as a therapeutic modality for prevention or treatment of incontinence in women is dependent on appropriate patient selection. This article synthesizes data that supports 4 criteria to be met before beginning a program of pelvic floor muscle training: adequate alignment of pelvic organs, intact structural support, functional muscle activation ability, and absence of existing reversible causes for incontinence. Two components of pelvic floor muscle training are described: strengthening exercises and skill development. For each component, protocols of training and refined patient selection criteria are discussed.
Miller
Janis M
JM
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. janismm@umich.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation*