Comparison of In-person FPMRS-directed Pelvic Floor Therapy Program Versus Unsupervised Pelvic Floor Exercises...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pelvic Health
• Post-Prostatectomy Rehabilitation

Background:

• Urinary incontinence is a common complication following prostatectomy.
• Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a recognized treatment for incontinence.
• Effectiveness of supervised PFMT versus unsupervised exercises requires further comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare continence outcomes between supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and unsupervised home pelvic floor exercise therapy (UPFE).
• To evaluate the impact of PFMT on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) domain scores, pad usage, and quality of life after prostatectomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 40 men undergoing prostatectomy.
• Comparison of PFMT (12-month supervised program) versus UPFE.
• Primary outcome: ICIQ-MLUTS SUI domain score (SDS). Secondary outcomes: pad usage (PPD), SUI cure, quality of life (IIQ-7).

Main Results:

• PFMT group showed significantly better mean predicted SDS at 6 and 12 months compared to UPFE.
• At 12 months, 55% of PFMT patients reported no SUI versus 20% in the UPFE group.
• No significant differences were observed in pad usage or quality of life scores between groups at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• In-person, specialist-directed PFMT is associated with improved SUI domain scores post-robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.
• These improved outcomes are durable through 12-month follow-up.
• Supervised PFMT offers a significant advantage over unsupervised exercises for post-prostatectomy incontinence.