title: Long-term efficacy of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for older women with urinary incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation for elderly women with urinary incontinence after five years of follow-up, and to assess the adherence to PFM exercises five years after physiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review of women ≥ 60 years old who underwent PFM physiotherapy for urinary incontinence between September 1999 and February 2004. PFM rehabilitation techniques were taught to patients by a certified physiotherapist. The mean number of sessions was eight. Telephone surveys were conducted at two months, six months, and one to five years after physiotherapy. Objective data on the efficacy of treatment (number of voids, incontinence, use of pads) and on adherence to PFM exercises were collected using a uniform grid. Data were used to determine the continence status at follow-up and compared with the data collected at the end of the PFM training sessions (improved, maintained, or deteriorated).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 89 older women (mean age 70 years; range 60 to 81) treated during the study period, 40 were followed up to five years and were suitable for analysis. At five years of follow-up, 27.5% had improved, 57.5% remained stable, and 15% had deteriorated compared with their post-treatment continence status. Twenty-nine patients (72.5%) were continuing their PFM exercises, and 42.5% were performing the exercises daily. All adherent patients had "improved" or "stable" status after five years versus 45.5% of non-adherent patients (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for urinary incontinence remains highly effective for up to five years in older women. Most women continue to perform PFM exercises five years after completing their physiotherapy education sessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke QC.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simard
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke QC.
authors.forename: Le Mai
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000534:rehabilitation*