Pelvic floor muscle training is effective in women with urinary incontinence after stroke: A randomised, controlled and blinded study

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) in women with urinary incontinence (UI) after ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and thirty-nine medical records of stroke patients were searched. Twenty-six subjects were randomised to a Treatment Group (14 subjects) or a Control Group (12 subjects) in a single blinded, randomised study. The intervention included 12 weeks of standardised PFMT. The outcome measures were: (1) diary recording the frequency of voiding, the number of incontinence episodes and used pads; (2) 24-hr home pad test; and (3) vaginal palpation of pelvic floor muscle evaluating function, strength, static and dynamic endurance. Results: Twenty-four subjects with urge, stress and mixed stress/urge incontinence, completed the study, 12 in each group. A significant improvement in frequency of voiding in daytime (Treatment Group/Control Group: 7/8 at pre-test, 6/9 at post-test (median values), P = 0.018), 24-hr pad test (Treatment Group/Control Group: 8/12 to 2/8 g P = 0.013) and dynamic endurance of pelvic floor muscle (Treatment Group/Control Group: 11120 to 20/8 contractions of Pelvic Floor Muscle, P = 0.028) was demonstrated in the Treatment Group compared to the Control Group. A significant improvement in frequency of voiding in daytime (decreased from seven to six, P = 0.036), pelvic floor muscle function (P = 0.034), strength (P = 0.046), static endurance increased from 9 to 30 see (P = 0.028) and dynamic endurance increased from 11 to 20 contractions (P = 0.020) was also demonstrated within the Treatment Group, but not in the Control Group. Conclusion: PFMT had a significant effect in women with UI after stroke measured by diaries, pad tests and vaginal palpation. Neurourol. Urodynam. 24348357,2005. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.