Proved to improve: Pelvic floor muscle training

This analysis compared pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women.

Pelvic floor muscle training is the most commonly used physical therapy treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence (the involuntary leakage of urine with a physical activity such as coughing or sneezing). Pelvic floor muscle training, also commonly called Kegel exercises, or muscle-clenching exercises, is less frequently used to treat other types of urinary incontinence. Women with urge incontinence (the involuntary leakage of urine accompanied by a strong need to urinate), for example, are rarely educated on the importance of pelvic floor muscle training.

Twenty-one trials, including a total of 1281 women, were included in this analysis. Women were either randomized to pelvic floor muscle training or to a control group (not receiving training or treatment).

Among women with stress urinary incontinence, those receiving pelvic floor muscle training where 8 times more likely than women not receiving treatment to report they were cured. 55% of women receiving pelvic floor muscle training reported cure or improvement of incontinence, compared to 3.2% of women not receiving treatment.

In trials including women with urge incontinence, or mixed (both stress and urge) incontinence, women receiving pelvic floor muscle training where also more likely than women not receiving treatment to report cure or improvement.

Women treated with pelvic floor muscle training reported leaking urine less often, leaking smaller amounts of urine, and urinating less often. Women also consistently reported improved sexual outcomes.

Pelvic floor muscle training significantly improves urinary function among women with any type of urinary incontinence.