Effect of pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation on lumbopelvic control in women with stress urinary incontinence: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of 8 weeks of pelvic oor muscle (PFM) training by electrical stimulation (ES) on PFM function, lumbopelvic control, abdominal muscle thickness, and the contraction ratio in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Methods: Women with SUI were randomized into an ES group (n = 18) or control group (n = 18). The ES group underwent a PFM ES training during 8-week, and the control group underwent only a general exercise without PFM training. PFM functions was measured using a perineometer. Lumbopelvic control was measured by one-and double-leg lowering tests. Abdominal muscle thickness and the contraction ratio during the active straight leg raise maneuver were measured by sonography.Results: The ES group showed signi cantly higher PFM strength and power than controls (p < 0.05) at after 8 weeks of training. PFM strength and power were signi cantly increased after 8 weeks of training in the ES group (p < 0.05). The ES group showed signi cantly higher values than the controls in both the one-and double-leg lowering tests (p < 0.05) at after 8 weeks of training. There were no signi cant between-or within-group differences, at rest or during contraction, in transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique abdominis (IO), or external oblique abdominis (EO) muscle thickness. Conclusion: Improvements in PFM functions by PFM ES could enhance lumbopelvic control in women with SUI. Trial registration: Clinical Research information Service, KCT0003357. Registered 11th November 2018 -Retrospectively registered, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=12678&ltype=&rtype=