title: Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training on symptoms and uroflowmetry parameters in female patients with overactive bladder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) as well as uroflowmetry parameters and functional bladder capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine female patients with OAB symptoms were included. Patients were assessed by SEAPI-QMM, uroflowmetry, and abdominal ultrasound. A specially designed PFMT program using a Pilates ball was generated for patients. The training period was 1-h sessions twice a week for 6 weeks and aerobic home exercises to be performed at home 4 or 5 times every other day. Following training, subjects were reevaluated for body mass index, SEAPI questionnaire, and uroflowmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial mean SEAPI score, mean maximum and average flow rates, and mean voided volume were 9.8 ± 7.2, 29.8 ± 16.4 mL/s, 16.3 ± 8.7 mL/s, and 211.6 ± 173.5 mL, respectively. After completion of the training program, SEAPI scores improved significantly to 3.4 ± 6.4 (P < 0.05). Maximum and average flow rate results did not show significant changes, whereas voided volume seemed to have improved in conjunction with patients' symptom scores (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.86).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to. our results, we think that proper PFMT results in increase of functional bladder capacity as well as improvement in OAB symptoms and can be recommended as first-line therapy or in conjunction with medical therapy in severe cases.
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kulaksizoğlu
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akand
authors.forename: Evrim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Çakmakçi
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gül
authors.forename: Bedreddin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seçkin
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy