Intensive supervised versus unsupervised pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a randomized comparative trial

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is considered to be the first-line treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There are few studies that have tested the efficacy of unsupervised PFMT. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intensive supervised PFMT to unsupervised PFMT in the treatment of female SUI.

Methods: Sixty-two women with SUI were randomized to either supervised or unsupervised PFMT after undergoing supervised training sessions. They were evaluated before and after the treatment with the Oxford grading system, pad test, quality of life questionnaire, subjective evaluation, and exercise compliance.

Results: After treatment, there were no differences between the two groups regarding PFM strength (p = 0.20), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score (p = 0.76), pad test (p = 0.78), weekly exercise compliance (p = 0.079), and subjective evaluation of urinary loss (p = 0.145).

Conclusions: Both intensive supervised PFMT and unsupervised PFMT are effective to treat female SUI if training session is provided.