Dilemmas in the management of female stress incontinence: the role of pelvic floor muscle training

Treatment options for female stress urinary incontinence include pelvic floor muscle training, lifestyle interventions, bladder retraining, pharmacotherapy, anti-incontinence devices and surgery. Several consensus statements recommend pelvic floor muscle training as first line treatment. The aim of this review is to analyse all the currently available data and propose a treatment algorithm for clinical practice. A literature-based critical presentation of all treatment modalities, methods of assessing efficacy and comparison between them using a patient-centered approach was made. Many of the studies are observational, non-randomized with several methodological problems that lead to confusion. Emphasis was made to high quality randomized trials. The proposed treatment algorithm established only on evidence-based data. Management strategy however, must identify patient expectations and involve them in the decision-making more than traditional measures of␣treatment success.     

盆底肌锻炼在女性压力性尿失禁患者中的应用价值

目的：探讨盆底肌锻炼在女性压力性尿失禁患者中的应用价值。方法选择2011年3月-2013年3月我院接诊的80例女性压力性尿失禁患者进行研究。按照随机数字表法,随机分为观察组和对照组。对照组采用常规的体操锻炼对患者进行治疗,观察组采用新式的盆底肌锻炼对患者进行治疗。观察记录两组患者治疗前后的肌力状况,治疗前后漏尿量及尿垫试验的结果,并采用治疗后的临床疗效评价标准对两组患者治疗临床疗效进行比较分析。结果两组患者治疗后肌力均明显增高（P＜0.01）,治疗后观察组肌力明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）;治疗后,观察组患者的肌力分度明显优于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（u=-2.4795,P=0.0132）。观察组患者的漏尿量明显少于对照组（P＜0.01）,治疗后3、6及12个月后,患者尿垫试验阳性率明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）。治疗总有效率（97.5%）明显高于对照组（72.5%）,两组比较差异有统计学意义（u=-2.9441,P=0.0032）。结论盆底肌锻炼在女性压力性尿失禁患者中的应用价值较高,值得临床推广应用。     

Pelvic floor muscle exercises in genuine urinary stress incontinence

Pelvic floor muscle exercises, in the treatment of genuine stress incontinence, have been used successfully since 1948. One may expect a significant improvement (warranting no further therapy), or cure rate of about 50%. These exercises have a long-lasting effect. Poorly motivated women should be discouraged to follow exercise sessions. An active co-operation between urogynecologist, physiotherapist and the patient is important in order to avoid undertreated and dissatisfied women. The option to be operated upon must be easily available.     

Pelvic floor muscle training improves sexual function of women with stress urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a program of supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual function, in a group of women with urodynamically diagnosed stress urinary incontinence (SUI), using a validated questionnaire. Incontinence episodes frequency and continence pads used per week were measured before and after treatment using a 7-day bladder diary. Improvements in sexual function were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Seventy women completed the 12-month program of supervised PFMT successfully. At the end of the study, incontinence episode frequency decreased by 38.1%, and patients required 39% less pads per week. All domains of the FSFI were also significantly improved with median total FSFI scores increasing from 20.3 to 26.8. This is one of the few studies to quantify, using a validated questionnaire, the improvement in sexual function of women with SUI, undergoing successfully a 12-month supervised PFMT program.     

Female stress urinary incontinence and the pelvic floor

Damage to the pelvic floor muscles leads to an altered relationship of the uterus and the urethrovesical unit to the levator plate and creates conditions predisposing to pelvic relaxation associated with stress incontinence. Morphological changes of pelvic floor muscles are age dependent and associated with deterioration of the urethral closure mechanism. Urodynamic assessment and knowledge of the morphology of pelvic floor muscles improves the understanding of pelvic floor function as it relates to the support of the pelvic viscera and the urethral mechanism that maintains continence of urine.     

Long-term results of pelvic floor training and surgery for female genuine stress incontinence

Fifty-two women with genuine urinary stress incontinence were randomized to pelvic floor training or surgery. At 4 and 12 months follow-up patients not satisfied with the outcome were offered the alternative treatment. Ten patients (42%) were satisfied following the training program, 20 patients (71%) were satisfied following surgery, while 22 patients underwent both treatment modalities. The patients were re-evaluated 4–8 years later (median 6 years) by history (n=48), pad-weighing test (n=41), and urinary diary (n=37). The beneficial effect of pelvic floor training continues for years. The longterm results were practically the same as after 1 year for all treatments. Patients with significant incontinence may be well-adapted to the situation, and indication for treatment is very much dependent on the hazards involved. Objective measurement of the degree of incontinence is essential when different treatments are compared.     

Medium-term efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training for female urinary incontinence in daily practice

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of physiotherapy and quality of life in women treated for urinary incontinence by specialized physiotherapists in daily community-based practices. Three hundred and fifty-five women were treated in five physiotherapy practices between January 2000 and December 2004. After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, these women received a questionnaire at home. With the questionnaire, we collected demographic data, data on the efficacy of treatment, satisfaction with the result, and the Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. Additional information was derived from the medical files. One hundred and eighty-seven women responded. Fifty percent of women were satisfied with the result of physiotherapy. After a mean follow-up of 32 months, 123 out of 130 women (94.6%), who only had physiotherapy, recorded to experience incontinence episodes daily to several times a week. Women who underwent additional incontinence surgery after insufficient physiotherapy recorded significantly less urinary incontinence symptoms and a better quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence is effective in half of the women. If not successful, women seem to benefit significantly from incontinence surgery.     

The development of an Incontinence Treatment Motivation Questionnaire for patients undergoing pelvic floor physiotherapy in the treatment of stress incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis  The aim of this paper is to develop a motivation questionnaire regarding perseverance in pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) supervised by physiotherapists for stress urinary incontinence. Methods  Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in women with stress urinary incontinence that revealed 15 common themes; 117 items were constructed and reviewed by continence advisors. Surviving items (n = 73) were administered to 210 women. Data were analysed for item properties, factor analysis was used to examine the questionnaire structure and tests of convergence/divergence used to check for sensitivity. Results  The Incontinence Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (ITMQ) comprises 18-items in five scales, assessing attitudes towards treatment (72.62% of explained variance; α = 0.87), reasons for not doing PFMT (55.73%; α = 0.74), living with incontinence (62.70% variance; α = 0.70), desire for treatment (65.37% variance; α = 0.74) and the effect of incontinence severity on PFMT (51.62% variance, α = 0.68). Scales were generally sensitive to known group differences. Conclusions  This study represents the first effort to develop a motivation scale for PFMT. This validated Motivation Questionnaire is an instrument to test the impact of motivation upon cure, in PFMT. The work was carried out at the Pelvic Floor Unit, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia 2217.     

The effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence. A prospective comparison design of 99 matched pairs (n=198) of mothers, a training group and a control group, was used. Eight weeks postpartum the training group attended an 8-week intensive pelvic floor muscle exercise course, training in groups led by a physical therapist for 45 minutes once a week. In addition they were asked to exercise at home at least three times per week. The control group followed the ordinary written postpartum instructions from the hospital. Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured pretreatment at the eighth, and post-treatment at the 16th week after delivery, using a vaginal balloon catheter connected to a pressure transducer. Vaginal palpation and observation of inward movement of the balloon catheter during contraction were used to test the ability to perform correct the pelvic floor muscle contraction. Urinary leakage was registered by interview, specially designed instruments to measure how women perceive SUI, and a standardized pad test. At baseline (8 weeks postpartum) there was no significant difference in the number of women with urinary incontinence in the training group compared to the control group. At 16 weeks postpartum, after the 8-week treatment period, there was a significant (P<0.01) difference in favor of the training group. In addition, a significantly greater improvement in pelvic floor muscle strength between test 1 and test 2 was found in the training group compared to the control group. The results show that a specially designed postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise course is effective in increasing pelvic floor muscle strength and reducing urinary incontinence in the immediate postpartum period. EDITORIAL COMMENT: This paper is one of only a few looking at the efficacy of a rigorous pelvic floor muscle exercise training regime to help women with incontinence in the postpartum period. Whether or not these results will translate long-term into a lower incidence of urinary incontinence as these women age, is unknown, and may never be known. However, this paper points out that there is a definite benefit from pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of postpartum incontinence, and we can use this information to more strongly counsel our patients in the use of these exercises.     

电刺激联合盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁合并特发性逼尿肌过度活动的疗效观察

目的 探讨电刺激联合全程指导盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁(SUI)合并特发性逼尿肌过度活动(IDO)的疗效.方法选取经尿动力学检查证实为SUI合并IDO女性患者70例.平均年龄(40±7)岁.采用神经肌肉电刺激治疗仪电刺激,每次60 min,每周3次.联合盆底肌训练,每次30 min,每天2次,疗程12周.记录治疗前后患者排尿日记,填写国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷简表(ICI-Q-SF)和尿动力学测定,并随访3个月疗效.结果 50例(71%)完成全程治疗.其中尿失禁症状完全消失8例(16%),IDO消失10例(20%),漏尿点压测定无漏尿发生6例(12%).治疗后总排尿次数、总漏尿事件次数、ICI-Q-SF评分、最大逼尿肌不随意收缩压和持续时间分别为(28±5)次/72 h、(10±5)次/72 h、(10±3)、(18±8)cm H2O和(8±3)s,显著低于治疗前的(43±8)次/72 h、(20±6)次/72 h、(17±3),(27±9)cm H2O和(13±6)s(P<0.01);最大排尿量、正常尿意膀胱压测定容量、最大膀胱压测定容量、漏尿点压和最大尿道闭合压分别为(225±48)、(210±48)、(247±48)ml、(94±11)和(59±8)cm H2O,显著高于治疗前的(159±37)、(141±39)、(178±36)ml、(81±15)和(55±8)cm H2O,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).治疗结束时和3个月后有效率为66%和60%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 电刺激联合盆底肌训练是一种治疗女性SUI合并IDO的有效方法.     

Pelvic floor muscle training is not effective in women with UI in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial

The objective of this study was to test the short- and long-term effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during pregnancy in women at risk, i.e. women who were already affected by urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy. The intervention consisted of three sessions of PFMT between week 23 and 30 during pregnancy and one session 6 weeks after delivery, combined with written information. The research design was a randomised, controlled trial with four follow-ups up to 1 year after delivery. Participants in the study were 264 otherwise healthy women with UI during pregnancy, allocated at random to the intervention (112) or usual care (152) group. The main outcome measure was a UI severity scale and a 7-day bladder diary. No effect of pelvic floor muscle training was shown in this study at (half) a year after pregnancy. UI decreased strongly after pregnancy, irrespective of usual care or PMFT during pregnancy. For most women, usual care appears to be sufficient. The results support a ‘wait and see’ policy: wait for the urinary incontinence to take its natural course and see if, for women still incontinent half a year after pregnancy, pelvic floor muscle training is effective.     

生物反馈联合盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁的疗效

目的:探讨生物反馈联合盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁(Stress urinary incontinence,SUI)的临床效果.方法:2005年11月～2007年3月,对11例女性SUI患者使用生物反馈治疗仪进行生物反馈电刺激联合盆底肌训练治疗.治疗前通过病史、体检、尿动力学检查诊断为尿失禁.治疗每次20 min,每天1次,5次为1个疗程.结果:11例女性SUI患者中,7例症状消失,4例症状减轻.追踪观察6个月,无一例复发.结论:生物反馈联合盆底肌训练是一种安全、有效的治疗女性SUI的方法.     

盆底障碍性疾病盆底自主收缩肌肉力量研究

目的比较正常人和盆底障碍性疾病(PFD)患者的盆底肌肉功能。方法对2007年11月至2008年4月在本院就诊的压力性尿失禁(SUI)、盆腔器官脱垂(POP)、POP合并SUI患者以及健康对照组各10例,行阴道指诊、阴道挤压力检测盆底肌肉收缩力量进行评估。结果肛提肌肌肉指诊力量和阴道挤压力呈正相关(r=0.549,P<0.05)。对照组阴道指诊肌力等级为(4.1±0.8),阴道挤压压力为(38.4±21.1)mmH2O,15 s内可自主收缩肛提肌(6.0±1.2)次,收缩持续时间为(4.78±1.78)s。SUI组、POP组、SUI+POP组阴道指诊肌力等级分别为(2.6±0.7)(、3.2±1.2)和(3.0±1.4),均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);阴道内挤压压力分别为(20.2±11.1)、(13.8±10.3)、(20.0±10.4)mmH2O,均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。SUI组15 s内可自主收缩肛提肌(3.6±1.0)次,显著少于对照组(P<0.05),收缩持续时间为(2.40±1.35)s,与对照组比较显著缩短(P<0.05)。结论肛提肌的阴道指诊的肌力测定,简单易行,可在临床广泛应用。PFD患者普遍存在肛提肌肉收缩力量减弱。SUI患者收缩速率慢、收缩持续时间短,不能对抗连续的腹压增高可能是SUI的发病机制。     

Device to promote pelvic floor muscle training for stress incontinence

AIM: Many patients with stress urinary incontinence do not have enough motivation to continue pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) by themselves. Therefore, a device was created to support PFMT, and its effect was examined. METHODS: Forty-six women with stress urinary incontinence were assigned to a control group or a device group in order of presentation. A pamphlet on PFMT was given to control patients, while the same pamphlet plus the device and instructions on its use were given to patients in the device group. The device had a chime that was set to sound three times a day when exercise sessions were scheduled. PFMT consisted of fast and slow pelvic floor muscle contraction exercises that were performed for 2 min and followed a rhythm set by the device. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, 20 patients from the control group and 21 patients from the device group could be evaluated. In the control group, only the quality of life (QOL) index improved significantly. In the device group, however, the daily number of incontinence episodes, the number of pads used daily, the QOL index, and the pad weight in the pad test improved significantly. Patients in the device group said that they felt obligated to perform PFMT when the chime sounded. Forty-eight percent of patients from the device group were satisfied with the outcome of PFMT, while only 15% were satisfied in the control group. CONCLUSION: This device may be useful to support the management of stress urinary incontinence.     

Reproducibility of ultrasonic measurements of pelvic floor structures in women suffering from urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility of ultrasound (US) findings relating to pelvic floor muscle in women with urinary incontinence (UI). Eighteen women with UI were examined twice by the same examiners over an interval of 1 month. The US findings comprised of (1) distance between bladder neck and symphysis pubis (BN/SP) at rest, during contraction, and while performing the Valsalva maneuver and (2) distance between anorectal angle and symphysis pubis (AR-SP) during the same conditions. Statistical analysis included test–retest correlations (ICC_3,K), and the assessment of measurement error and smallest real difference (SRD) for change. BN-SP and AR-SP exhibited high ICCs. The lowest SRD values related to the AR-SP variables (10–19%). US-based measures of the bladder neck and the anorectal angle, distance, and displacement seem to offer reasonable clinical reproducibility.     

Determining the optimal pelvic floor muscle training regimen for women with stress urinary incontinence

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training has received Level‐A evidence rating in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, based on meta‐analysis of numerous randomized control trials (RCTs) and is recommended in many published guidelines. However, the actual regimen of PFM training used varies widely in these RCTs. Hence, to date, the optimal PFM training regimen for achieving continence remains unknown and the following questions persist: how often should women attend PFM training sessions and how many contractions should they perform for maximal effect? Is a regimen of strengthening exercises better than a motor control strategy or functional retraining? Is it better to administer a PFM training regimen to an individual or are group sessions equally effective, or better? Which is better, PFM training by itself or in combination with biofeedback, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and/or vaginal cones? Should we use improvement or cure as the ultimate outcome to determine which regimen is the best? The questions are endless. As a starting point in our endeavour to identify optimal PFM training regimens, the aim of this study is (a) to review the present evidence in terms of the effectiveness of different PFM training regimens in women with SUI and (b) to discuss the current literature on PFM dysfunction in SUI women, including the up‐to‐date evidence on skeletal muscle training theory and other factors known to impact on women's participation in and adherence to PFM training. Neurourol. Urodynam. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:746–753, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: An exercise physiology perspective

The aim of this article is to give an overview of the exercise science related to pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength training, and to assess the effect of PFM exercises to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Sixteen articles addressing the effect of PFM exercise alone on SUI were compiled by computerized search or found in other review articles. Studies with no statement that correct PFM contraction had been performed were excluded. Kegel's suggestion was to perform 3–500 PFM contractions per day. However, suggestions for effective strength training from the exercise science is 8–12 contractions in three series 3–4 times a week for 15–20 weeks or more. Frequency of training varies between 10 repetitions every waking hour to half an hour 3 days a week. Holding periods vary between 2 and 3 s and 30–40 s. Exercise periods vary between 3 weeks and 6 months. Only a few research groups have used methods to measure PFM strength that were reproducible and valid. Statistically significant strength increase has been found after PFM exercise lasting from 3 to 6 months. In all studies the exercises were conducted with thorough individual instruction, vaginal palpation, feedback and close follow-up. Self-reported cure and success rates vary between 17% and 84%. Statistically significant improvement has been demonstrated on self-grading instruments, urethral closure pressure during cough, resting urethral pressure, functional urethral profile length, leakage episodes and pad tests with standardized bladder volume. The results of the long-term studies are promising. It is therefore concluded that PFM exercises are effective in treating SUI. They are cost-effective and should be the first choice of treatment. To be effective, PFM exercise has to be thoroughly taught and performed with weekly or monthly follow-up.EDITORIAL COMMENTS: Dr Bø presents a thorough review of pelvic floor exercies for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The concepts of exercise physiology, important to the teaching and performance of pelvic floor exercises, are clearly defined. Unfortunately, investigators in this area of research have utilized disparate therapy regimens, various methods to determine pelvic floor muscle strength and different outcome measures of success, making meta-analysis of the results impossible. It is clear that pelvic floor exercises are a viable treatment option for patients with stress incontinence. However, optimum success from any treatment regimen requires patient motivation, thorough instruction to perform the exercises correctly, and long-term follow-up to ensure adherence to training.     

Long-term follow-up results of pelvic floor rehabilitation in female stress urinary incontinence

During a 4-year experience 79 patients were followed for a mean period of 11 months after pelvic floor rehabilitation for stress urinary incontinence. During the first 4 months there was a gradual increase in the number of patients improved, with little further improvement thereafter.A total of 15 patients (19%) were cured and 28 (35%) showed marked improvement of their symptoms, which required no further therapy. Subjective improvement correlated well with the objective findings obtained with a pad test. Statistical analysis of our results failed to reveal specific factors which would improve patient selection.Although pelvic floor rehabilitation is a time-consuming procedure and surgery gives better immediate results, it is advisable initially to try pelvic floor rehabilitation for 4 months before submitting patients with stress incontinence to surgery.     

电刺激联合盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁合并特发性逼尿肌过度活动的疗效观察

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of pelvic floor electrical stimulation (PFES) and pelvic floor training (PFT) for female with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods PFES and PFT were performed on 70 women (average age 40±7 years old) with IDO and SUI for twelve weeks. Urinary diary, International Continence In-quiring Committee's Questionnaire (ICI-Q-SF) scores were recorded and urodynamic study was per-formed before and after the treatment. Results Fifty women (71%) finally completed treatment for twelve weeks. Urinary incontinence disappeared in 8 (16%), detrusor overactivity disappeared in 10 (20 %). The leakage was not found in 6 (12 %) in leakage point pressure measurement. Moreover, the frequency of voiding (28±5 times/72 h), frequency of leakage (10±5 times/72 h), total scores of ICI-Q-SF(10±3), max detrusor uninhibited contraction pressure (18±8 cmH20) and detrusor unin-hibited contraction duration (8±3 s) were significantly lower than those before treatment (43±8 times/72 h, 20±6 times/72 h, 17±3, 27±9 cm H2O and 13±6s,P<0.01). Maximal voided vol-ume(225±48 ml), normal desired cystometric capacity (210±48 ml), maximal cystometric capacity (247±48 ml), Valsalva leak point pressure (94±11 cm H2O) and maximal urethral closure pressure (59±8 cm H2O) were significantly higher than those before treatment (159±37 ml, 141±39ml, 178±36ml, 81±15 cm H2O and 55±8 cm H2O, P<0.01). The effective rate during three months follow up was 60%, similar to time after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Pelvic floor electrical stimulation and pelvic floor training could be a useful therapy to treat women with IDO and SUI. It is both convenient and economical.     

电刺激联合盆底肌训练治疗女性压力性尿失禁合并特发性逼尿肌过度活动的疗效观察

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of pelvic floor electrical stimulation (PFES) and pelvic floor training (PFT) for female with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods PFES and PFT were performed on 70 women (average age 40±7 years old) with IDO and SUI for twelve weeks. Urinary diary, International Continence In-quiring Committee's Questionnaire (ICI-Q-SF) scores were recorded and urodynamic study was per-formed before and after the treatment. Results Fifty women (71%) finally completed treatment for twelve weeks. Urinary incontinence disappeared in 8 (16%), detrusor overactivity disappeared in 10 (20 %). The leakage was not found in 6 (12 %) in leakage point pressure measurement. Moreover, the frequency of voiding (28±5 times/72 h), frequency of leakage (10±5 times/72 h), total scores of ICI-Q-SF(10±3), max detrusor uninhibited contraction pressure (18±8 cmH20) and detrusor unin-hibited contraction duration (8±3 s) were significantly lower than those before treatment (43±8 times/72 h, 20±6 times/72 h, 17±3, 27±9 cm H2O and 13±6s,P<0.01). Maximal voided vol-ume(225±48 ml), normal desired cystometric capacity (210±48 ml), maximal cystometric capacity (247±48 ml), Valsalva leak point pressure (94±11 cm H2O) and maximal urethral closure pressure (59±8 cm H2O) were significantly higher than those before treatment (159±37 ml, 141±39ml, 178±36ml, 81±15 cm H2O and 55±8 cm H2O, P<0.01). The effective rate during three months follow up was 60%, similar to time after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Pelvic floor electrical stimulation and pelvic floor training could be a useful therapy to treat women with IDO and SUI. It is both convenient and economical.