Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises and Pelvic Floor Retraining on Postmenopausal Stress Urinary Incontinence: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background. Incontinence in the urine is a common problem. Its prevalence increases as age increasing , especially among older women..Conservative management as its first line treatment is recommended. Physical therapies are the cornerstone of such conservative management, especially pelvic floor muscle exercise. Objective. Prospective study to evaluate objectively the advantages of pelvic floor exercises for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence associated with breathing exercises. Materials and Methods. Fifty female elderly patients were selected for this study at age 50-65 diagnosed with urinary stress incontinence (SUI), their body mass index (BMI) was < 30 kg / m2.They were allocated randomly into two groups equally (A and B). they recieved the same treatment which is pelvic floor training but in group (A) the breathing exercise were added to the program For 12 weeks, the treatment program was done twice a week. Evaluation of all subjects for both groups (A and B) was conducted pre and post treatment program during the evaluation of the perineometer change in vaginal squeeze pressure.The revised scale of urinary incontinence (RUIS) was used to assess the alter in symptoms of severe incontinence. Results. Analysis of the data reported marked improvement in squeezing vaginal pressure and urinary incontinence scale of both groups when comparing their mean values before and after treatment. Significant improvement in the study group, however, was noted when comparing the mean values of the study group after treatment with the control group. Conclusion. Pelvic floor exercises associated to breathing exercises is an Appropriate and secure way to alleviate postmenopausal stress urinary incontinence.