Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the
contractility of pelvic floor muscle and lower urinary tract symptoms in female
stroke patients. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind controlled study. SETTING:
Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. SUBJECTS: Thirty one female patients who were
more than three months post-stroke and stress urinary incontinence.
INTERVENTIONS: The subjects were randomized to either a PFMT group (n = 16), or a
control group (n = 15). Both groups received general rehabilitation exercise for
6 weeks, but the PFMT group additionally received PFMT for 6 weeks. MAIN
MEASURES: Vaginal function test using a perineometer (maximal vaginal squeeze
pressure) and intra-vaginal electromyography (activity of pelvic floor muscle),
and urinary symptoms and quality of life using a Bristol Female Lower Urinary
Tract Symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: After intervention, the maximal vaginal
squeeze pressures for the PFMT and control groups were 18.35 (5.24) and 8.46
(3.50) mmHg, respectively. And the activities of pelvic floor muscle of the PFMT
and control groups was 12.09 (2.24) and 9.33 (3.40) , respectively. After
intervention, the changes of scores for inconvenience in the activity of daily
living of the PFMT and control groups were -15.00 (6.25) and -0.17 (1.59),
respectively. In addition, the changes of score for lower urinary tract symptom
was improved more in the PFMT group (-4.17 (4.00)) than in the control group
(-0.25 (1.29)) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PFMT is
beneficial for the management of urinary incontinence in female stroke patients.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS