A non-randomized chlinical trial The effect of pelvic floor exercises at home and electrical stimulation plus biofeedback in hospital in management of stress urinary incontinence of primiparas in short-term postpartum period

Abstract

Background To investigate the effect of pelvic floor exercises at home and electrical stimulation plus biofeedback in hospital in management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) primiparas in short-term postpartum period. Methods A total of 150 SUI primiparas at postpartum 6-8 weeks were interviewed. According to participants’ willingness and necessary coordination, the subjects were divided into 2 groups including the treatment group (n=69) and the control group (n=81). The treatment group received at-home pelvic floor muscle training(PFMT) every day and in-hospital electrical stimulation plus biofeedback therapy twice a week for consecutive 5 weeks (from 6-8 postpartum weeks to 11-13 postpartum weeks). The control group was not given pelvic floor exercise at home or in hospital. The PFM strength in the two groups was measured by specially trained personnel using digital palpation (Modified Oxford scale:0-5 grade) and surface electromyography(sEMG) in 6-8 postpartum weeks and in 11-13 postpartum weeks. For statistical analysis, t -test,Chi-square analysis and Wilcoxon test were carried out. Results The recovery rate of SUI in the treatment group was 63.8% (44/69), which was higher than that in the control group (12.3%,10/81) ( p <0.05). In the treatment group, the PFM strength was higher after PFMT than that before PFMT no matter measured by digital palpation or by sEMG ( p <0.05); but in the control group, it had no change at postpartum 6-8 weeks and at postpartum about 12 weeks ( p >0.05). Conclusion: The combination treatment of at-home PFM training and in-hospital electrical stimulation plus biofeedback PFM therapy is an effective method to manage SUI and improve PFM strength in short-time postpartum.