title: A randomized controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training for stages I and II pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: Forty-seven women participated in a pilot study for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for women with prolapse. Women with symptomatic stage I or II prolapse [measured by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q)] were randomized to a 16-week physiotherapy intervention (PFMT and lifestyle advice; n = 23) or a control group receiving a lifestyle advice sheet (n = 24). Symptom severity and quality of life were measured via postal questionnaires. Blinded POP-Q was performed at baseline and follow-up. Intervention women had significantly greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptoms (mean score decrease 3.5 versus 0.1, p = 0.021), were significantly more likely to have an improved prolapse stage (45% versus 0%, p = 0.038) and were significantly more likely to say their prolapse was better (63% versus 24%, p = 0.012). The data support the feasibility of a substantive trial of PFMT for prolapse. A multi-centre trial is underway.
authors.affiliation: Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. s.hagen@gcal.ac.uk
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Cathryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glazener
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramsay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*