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The effect of pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as a conservative treatment for patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

A comprehensive search to identify eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase up to 10 June 2021. Results were presented as risk ratio (RR), the weighted mean difference (WMD), with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using the random effects model. Outcome variables were pooled using Review Manager version 5.3.

Results

Thirteen studies were included. Our results demonstrated that women who received PFMT intervention had a greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptom score (POP-SS; mean difference [MD] −1.66, 95% CI −2.36 to −0.97, p < 0.00001] and POP stages (risk ration [RR] 1.51, 95% CI 1.14–2.01, p = 0.004). The number of participants who felt better after PFMT was higher (RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.21–3.24, p = 0.006). Subgroup analysis showed that the symptoms of prolapse and the degree of prolapse were improved significantly in the short term, but there was no significant difference in the long-term effect. In addition, there was no significant difference in the impact of PFMT on the elderly and the quality of life. More RCTs are needed to evaluate the effect of PFMT on the elderly and whether the quality of life can be improved.

Conclusions

We found that PFMT can improve subjective symptoms and objective POP severity. More research is needed on the long-term effect.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mr Z.B. Wang in Beijing University of Chinese Medicine for his kind advice on the project and writing assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shuangqiao Hospital, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

    Ting Wang

  2. Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, No. 88, Health Road, Weihui, Xinxiang, Henan, China

    Zhengfang Wen

  3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China

    Meng Li

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  1. Ting Wang
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  3. Meng Li
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Ting Wang: project development, data collection, manuscript writing; Zhengfang Wen: manuscript revision; Meng Li: data collection.

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Correspondence to Zhengfang Wen.

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Wang, T., Wen, Z. & Li, M. The effect of pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J 33, 1789–1801 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-022-05139-z

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