Pelvic floor muscle training is effective in women with urinary incontinence after stroke: a randomised, controlled and blinded study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) in women with urinary incontinence (UI) after ischemic stroke.


METHODS
Three hundred and thirty-nine medical records of stroke patients were searched. Twenty-six subjects were randomised to a Treatment Group (14 subjects) or a Control Group (12 subjects) in a single blinded, randomised study. The intervention included 12 weeks of standardised PFMT. The outcome measures were: (1) diary recording the frequency of voiding, the number of incontinence episodes and used pads; (2) 24-hr home pad test; and (3) vaginal palpation of pelvic floor muscle evaluating function, strength, static and dynamic endurance.


RESULTS
Twenty-four subjects with urge, stress and mixed stress/urge incontinence, completed the study, 12 in each group. A significant improvement in frequency of voiding in daytime (Treatment Group/Control Group: 7/8 at pre-test, 6/9 at post-test (median values), P=0.018), 24-hr pad test (Treatment Group/Control Group: 8/12 to 2/8 g P=0.013) and dynamic endurance of pelvic floor muscle (Treatment Group/Control Group: 11/20 to 20/8 contractions of Pelvic Floor Muscle, P=0.028) was demonstrated in the Treatment Group compared to the Control Group. A significant improvement in frequency of voiding in daytime (decreased from seven to six, P=0.036), pelvic floor muscle function (P=0.034), strength (P=0.046), static endurance increased from 9 to 30 sec (P=0.028) and dynamic endurance increased from 11 to 20 contractions (P=0.020) was also demonstrated within the Treatment Group, but not in the Control Group.


CONCLUSIONS
PFMT had a significant effect in women with UI after stroke measured by diaries, pad tests and vaginal palpation.
Tibaek
Sigrid
S
Department of Geriatrics and Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. Sigrid.Tibaek@get2net.dk
Gard
Gunvor
G
Jensen
Rigmor
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology