Urinary exercise therapy helps improving urinary symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease

This study investigated the effectiveness of exercise therapy for urinary symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers suggested that this therapy should be considered as initial treatment for these patients.

PD affects brain cells. The abilities controlled by these cells are lost causing symptoms such as muscle weakness and tremors. However, PD is also associated with non-physical symptoms, such as mental or urinary symptoms. Urinary symptoms include urgency, frequency, nocturia (waking up several times at night to urinate) and incontinence (loss of urine control). These symptoms decrease the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. The standard medical treatment for urinary symptoms might not be adequate for patients with PD. Prior studies showed that this medication might be associated with negative mental effects in these patients.

For this reason, is important to investigate other non-medication therapies for urinary symptoms in patients with PD.

This study included information about 47 patients with PD and urinary symptoms. Patients were assigned to receive exercise-based behavioral therapy or body shape drawing (control group). Behavioral therapy included pelvic muscle exercises, bladder training and incontinence control. Patients were followed-up for 8 weeks. 

Patients in both groups reported a similar reduction in urinary symptoms. However, patients in the behavioral therapy group reported a greater improvement in the quality of life.  

This study concluded that behavioral therapy is a safe option to treat patients with Parkinson's disease and urinary symptoms.

This study included a short follow-up period and a majority of male population. Further studies are needed for stronger evidence