Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Women With Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

PurposePelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) is a therapeutic option for urinary incontinence (UI). However, studies of the efficacy of PFME on UI in patients with cognitive impairment (CI) are lacking. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of PFME on UI in elderly women with mild CI. MethodsA total of 150 women with mild CI or Alzheimer disease and UI were screened using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Cognitive function and behavioral symptoms were evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination and Barthel’s Activities of Daily Living. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (n=46) and a PFME group (n=52, 6 sessions of PFME for 12 weeks). The primary outcome was the change in UI episodes measured with a frequency volume chart (FVC). The secondary outcomes were other FVC parameters and the ICIQ-SF scores. ResultsA total of 82 women (control group: 40 and PFME group: 42) completed the study. After 12 weeks of PFME, the mean number of UI episodes per 24 hours decreased by 1.6 (from 3.3 to 1.7) in the PFME group and by 0.5 (from 3.4 to 2.9) in the control group (P<0.001 between groups). The mean number of micturition episodes and total ICIQ-SF scores improved in the PFME group to a significantly greater extent than in the control group (P<0.001). ConclusionsSupervised PFME can be a good therapeutic option for improving UI in elderly women with CI.

Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Urinary Incontinence in Gynecologic Cancer: A Review

“…Thus, PFMT might be a good alternative choice on UI patients. Besides, as the risk of developing gynecologic cancer is getting higher with ageing, PFqMT may be an appropriate exercise program for the elderly who are not free to go outsides, if adequate training is provided [32,33]. Two studies suggest PFMT can be a good therapeutic option for improving UI in elderly women.…”

Impact of physiotherapeutic methods on urinary incontinence in the elderly

“…ICIQ-SF results significantly decreased in the study group. There were no significant changes in the control group (Lee et al, 2017).…”

“…It can also affect the application of appropriate intervention, which will ultimately affect the result. In studies (Hirakawa et al, 2013;Lee et al, 2017) significant changes were noted after a long intervention, which gives the therapists an indication as to the duration of therapy and obtaining the expected effects. The discrepancy may be the result of differences between studies taking into account the characteristics of individuals.…”

Rehabilitation in Dementia

“… 129 Supervised PFMT is an effective approach to prevent UI in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. 137 It can be combined with auditory or visual biofeedback by recording biological signals (EMG activity) from the pelvic floor muscles to improve the therapeutic effect. 138 …”