title: Combined pelvic muscle exercise and yoga program for urinary incontinence in middle-aged women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Urinary incontinence is a major health problem among middle-aged women. Pelvic muscle exercise is one of the primary interventions, but difficulty performing this exercise has led researchers to seek alternative or conjunctive exercise. This study aimed to examine the effect of a combined pelvic muscle exercise and yoga intervention program on urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single group pre-/post-test design was used. Subjects were recruited from a community health center in Seoul, Korea, and a questionnaire survey was conducted. Fifty-five women participated in the first day of the program, 34 of whom completed the 8 week, twice weekly intervention program. Urinary incontinence was measured by five domains of urinary tract symptoms: filling factor, voiding factor, incontinence factor, sexual function, and quality of life. Also measured were attitude toward pelvic muscle exercise and pelvic muscle strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were found in attitude toward pelvic muscle exercise, pelvic muscle strength, and incontinence factor. Daily performance of pelvic muscle exercise was positively correlated with improved incontinence factor and with quality of life related to urinary tract symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combined pelvic muscle exercise and yoga program was effective for improving overall urinary incontinence in community health center attendees in Korea. Further study is needed with a control group, different populations, and a longer intervention period.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Policy Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Jeollabuk-do, Rep of Korea.
authors.forename: Gwang Suk
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, Rep of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Gyeong
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Hong-ik Yoga Association, Seoul, Jeollabuk-do, Rep of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ewha Woman's University, Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Jeollabuk-do, Rep of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Mi Ja
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015013:Yoga
keywords: incontinence; pelvic muscle exercise; pelvic muscle strength; yoga