Pelvic Floor Exercise During Pregnancy as Preventive Strategy for Incontinence

Post on January 15, 2014 by André Broussard, D.C.

Neurourol Urodyn 2014 Jan 01;33(1)67-71, M Pelaez, S Gonzalez-Cerron, R Montejo, R Barakat Research
January 14, 2014

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

  • This study found that pregnant women randomized to pelvic floor muscle training as part of a pregnancy exercise program conducted at least three times per week for at least 22 weeks were significantly less likely to report urinary incontinence in late pregnancy.
  • These data suggest that incorporation of pelvic floor muscle training into routine prenatal care may be a reasonable primary prevention strategy for urinary incontinence.

ABSTRACT

AIMS

To investigate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) taught in a general exercise class during pregnancy on the prevention of urinary incontinence (UI) in nulliparous continent pregnant women.

METHODS

This was a unicenter two armed randomized controlled trial. One hundred sixty-nine women were randomized by a central computer system to an exercise group (EG) (exercise class including PFMT) (n = 73) or a control group (CG) (n = 96). 10.1% loss to follow-up: 10 from EG and 7 from CG. The intervention consisted of 70-75 sessions (22 weeks, three times per week, 55-60 min/session including 10 min of PFMT). The CG received usual care (which included follow up by midwifes including information about PFMT). Questions on prevalence and degree of UI were posed before (week 10-14) and after intervention (week 36-39) using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF).

RESULTS

At the end of the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in favor of the EG. Reported frequency of UI [Never: CG: 54/60.7%, EG: 60/95.2% (P < 0.001)]. Amount of leakage [None: CG: 45/60.7%, EG: 60/95.2% (P < 0.001)]. There was also a statistically significant difference in ICIQ-UI SF Score between groups after the intervention period [CG: 2.7 (SD 4.1), EG: 0.2 (SD 1.2) (P < 0.001)]. The estimated effect size was 0.8.

CONCLUSION

PFMT taught in a general exercise class three times per week for at least 22 weeks, without former assessment of ability to perform a correct contraction was effective in primary prevention of UI in primiparous pregnant women.

Neurourology and Urodynamics
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Included in a Pregnancy Exercise Program Is Effective in Primary Prevention of Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Neurourol Urodyn 2014 Jan 01;33(1)67-71, M Pelaez, S Gonzalez-Cerron, R Montejo, R Barakat

Full Story:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/journalscan/749
Journal Reference

Comments Are Closed