title: Effect of increasing awareness of pelvic floor muscle function on pelvic floor dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This randomized controlled study with blinding allocation evaluated pelvic floor knowledge (PFK) and the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in women office workers. The effects of receiving pelvic floor muscle (PFM) health education on PFK and PFD were also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 161 female volunteers, 145 (90.0 %, age range 18-69 years) responded. They were randomly allocated to three groups (group A 48, group B 48, group C 49). Online surveys were completed by all groups on three occasions using validated tools (Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Quiz, PFDI-20, PFIQ-7) and PFM exercise items. On completion of the baseline survey, groups A and B received an education intervention (group C was the control). Following this, all participants completed the second survey. Two months later, to allow time for the PFM exercises to have an effect, group A attended a re-education presentation, followed by the final survey administered to all groups. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants receiving both PFM exercise education interventions (group A) and those receiving only the first education intervention (group B) showed highly significant improvements in PFK compared with the control group (both p < 0.001). The groups receiving PFM exercise education also showed a highly significant decrease in PFD symptoms (p < 0.001), and a significant increase in quality of life (QoL; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the results of this study cannot be generalized to all women, low levels of PFK was associated with high a prevalence of PFD, and an increase in knowledge/awareness following education was significantly associated with an increase in QoL and a decrease in PFD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: IPPC Incontinence & Pelvic Floor Clinic, 714 Medical Arts Building, 233 Kennedy Street, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3C 3J5, kelliberzuk@shaw.ca.
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berzuk
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult