Are Home Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises (PFMES) Effective in Prevention of Stress Urinary Incontinence During Pregnancy? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To determine effectiveness of 8 weeks home based PFMEs in the prevention of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during pregnancy and to see how many women were consistent with them. Materials And Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the outpatient department (OPD) of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) hospital, Islamabad during Nov, 2017 to Jan,2018. After fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria, women were randomly divided into two groups. One group learned to perform PFMEs. A telephonic survey was conducted after 8 weeks and
all the women in the study were asked about presence/absence of perceived urinary incontinence. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 120 women were randomized into the study. Amongst those who were followed, 63.4% from intervention group didn’t adhere to PFMEs and dropped out from study. A total of 42 women were analysed from both groups. Mean age was 25+-3 years and mean gestational age was 23+-4 weeks. Thirty nine percent were nullipara. Amongst women in the intervention group, majority were still continent after 8 weeks of PFMEs (86.6%) and only few experienced SUI (13.4%). However, when these women were matched with controls, fewer women as compared to intervention group were continent after 8 weeks (55.6%). Conclusion: Home based pelvic floor muscle exercises are very effective in prevention of stress urinary incontinence in only highly motivated patients.