title: Vaginal weights for pelvic floor training: a multiple participant case report.
abstract: Activity-related incontinence is a problem for women, many with limited access to specialty clinics and practitioners. Incontinence inhibits participation in health-promoting levels of physical activity. Vaginal weights are a treatment option available without a prescription for home use that may help some of these women. This multiple baseline across-participant case study investigated the use of weights in a 'hands-off' pelvic floor exercise program for pre-menopausal women. Three of four participants improved, but did not cure, their incontinence with use of the weights. A fourth participant was unable to successfully use the weights. Referral to a women's health physical therapist was suggested for her. Poor adherence was noted at follow-up in two of three participants, with the one who maintained practice demonstrating continued improvement and increased physical activity. Weights provide a low-cost exercise adjunct to women interested in a flexible and independent incontinence management program. For continued improvement, behavioral factors promoting adherence should also be addressed. Weights are one of the options for women wanting a low-cost solution for activity-related urinary leakage. Problems using the weights or failure to benefit from their use may be indicators of a need for more advanced evaluation by women's health specialists.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, HPB 1220, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA. jan.perkins@cmich.edu
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: C Merle
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014621:Vagina / Q000503:physiopathology*