Physical therapy intervention in women with urinary incontinence associated with pelvic organ prolapse

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition that affects women of all ages. Pelvic organ prolapse in conjunction with UI is a common occurrence.

To assess the effect of pelvic prolapse on the outcome of physical therapy treatment for women with UI.

The study included 48 women aged between 35 and 78 years who underwent anamnesis and measurement of pelvic floor strength (bi-digital test and perineometry). The physical therapy intervention consisted of transvaginal electrical stimulation and pelvic floor exercise for up to 15 weekly sessions.

The majority of the women had normal delivery and 2.6±1.5 children (range=0-7). Pelvic prolapse was observed in 72.4% of the women who had normal delivery, in 100% of those who had cesarean section, and in 77.8% of those who had both normal and cesarean deliveries. 48% of the women had mixed UI, 39.5% had stress UI, and 12.5% had urge UI. The duration of symptoms varied from 2 to 28 years (7.9±5.3). In the participants with and without prolapse, a significant difference was observed in the pre- and post-treatment comparisons for the pelvic floor muscles. The pre- and post-treatment perineometry showed a significant increase only in the women with prolapse (p=0.048). 87.5% of the participants became continent.

The physical therapy treatment was effective in treating and/or curing the symptoms of UI, whether or not associated with pelvic prolapse, regardless of the clinical type of incontinence. Clinical Trial Registration (Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry): RBR-3p5s66.