title: Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in female stroke patients: a randomized, controlled and blinded trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the contractility of pelvic floor muscle and lower urinary tract symptoms in female stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, single-blind controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty one female patients who were more than three months post-stroke and stress urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were randomized to either a PFMT group (n = 16), or a control group (n = 15). Both groups received general rehabilitation exercise for 6 weeks, but the PFMT group additionally received PFMT for 6 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vaginal function test using a perineometer (maximal vaginal squeeze pressure) and intra-vaginal electromyography (activity of pelvic floor muscle), and urinary symptoms and quality of life using a Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After intervention, the maximal vaginal squeeze pressures for the PFMT and control groups were 18.35 (5.24) and 8.46 (3.50) mmHg, respectively. And the activities of pelvic floor muscle of the PFMT and control groups was 12.09 (2.24) ㎶ and 9.33 (3.40) ㎶, respectively. After intervention, the changes of scores for inconvenience in the activity of daily living of the PFMT and control groups were -15.00 (6.25) and -0.17 (1.59), respectively. In addition, the changes of score for lower urinary tract symptom was improved more in the PFMT group (-4.17 (4.00)) than in the control group (-0.25 (1.29)) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that PFMT is beneficial for the management of urinary incontinence in female stroke patients.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Doo Chul
authors: DC
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung Ho
authors: SH
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Myung Mo
authors: MM
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kyoung Jin
authors: KJ
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea chsong@syu.ac.kr.
authors: Chang Ho
authors: CH
authors: Song
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Stroke; electromyography; pelvic floor muscle training; stress urinary incontinence