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A randomized controlled trial of antenatal pelvic floor exercises to prevent and treat urinary incontinence

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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of antenatal pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Methods

Three hundred women were randomly assigned to the PFME group and control group. Urinary symptoms were measured by Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), and question of self-reported urinary incontinence. Questionnaire scores of the PFME and the control groups were compared and analyzed.

Results

During late pregnancy and the postpartum period, the PFME group had significantly lower total UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores; their self-report rate of urinary incontinence was also less than the control group. Additionally, we found whether in PFME or control, women who delivered vaginally were more likely to develop postpartum urinary leakage than women who delivered by cesarean section.

Conclusions

PFME applied in pregnancy is effective in the treatment and prevention of urinary incontinence during pregnancy, and this effect may persist to postpartum period.

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Abbreviations

SUI:

Stress urinary incontinence

PFME:

Pelvic floor muscle exercise

IIQ-7:

Incontinence Impact Questionnaire

UDI-6:

Urogenital Distress Inventory

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the Medical Research Project, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CMRPG370321 and BMRP412). The authors would like to thank Drs. Yao-Lung Chang, Chao-Nin Wang, and Ho-Yen Chueh, and physiotherapists of our urogynecological division for their assistance to accomplish this study.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 5, Fu-Shin Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China, 333

    Po-Chun Ko, Ching-Chung Liang, Shuenn-Dhy Chang, An-Shine Chao & Po-Jen Cheng

  2. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ching-Chung Liang, Shuenn-Dhy Chang, An-Shine Chao & Po-Jen Cheng

  3. School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Jian-Tao Lee

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  1. Po-Chun Ko
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  2. Ching-Chung Liang
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  3. Shuenn-Dhy Chang
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  4. Jian-Tao Lee
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  5. An-Shine Chao
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Correspondence to Ching-Chung Liang.

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Ko, PC., Liang, CC., Chang, SD. et al. A randomized controlled trial of antenatal pelvic floor exercises to prevent and treat urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J 22, 17–22 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1248-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1248-4

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