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Pelvic floor muscle training for urgency urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of existing physiotherapy modalities for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence (UUI). A systematic review was performed for primary studies of physiotherapy techniques for UUI published in English between 1996 and August 2010 in major electronic databases. Only randomized clinical trials that reported outcomes separately for women with UUI were included. Outcomes assessed were reduction in UUI, urinary frequency, and nocturia. Data from 13 full-text trials including the modalities of pelvic floor muscles exercises with or without biofeedback, vaginal electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, and vaginal cones were analyzed. The methodologic quality of these trials was fair. Significant improvement in UUI was reported for all physiotherapy techniques except vaginal cone therapy. There are insufficient data to determine if pelvic physiotherapy improves urinary frequency or nocturia. Evidence suggests that physiotherapy techniques may be beneficial for the treatment of UUI.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Nicole L. Dugan, DPT, CLT of Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Therapy and Fitness, Philadelphia, PA for her physical therapy expertise and Megan O. Schimpf, MD of University of Pennsylvania Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA for her editorial expertise.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Disclaimers

Joy A. Greer, MD, LCDR, MC, USN—LCDR Greer is a military service member. This work was prepared as part of her official duties. Title 17, USC, paragraph 105 provides that “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17, USC, paragraph 101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urogynecology, Department of OB-GYN, University of Pennsylvania, 1000 Courtyard Building, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4283, USA

    Joy A. Greer & Lily A. Arya

  2. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Ariana L. Smith

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  1. Joy A. Greer
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Correspondence to Joy A. Greer.

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Greer, J.A., Smith, A.L. & Arya, L.A. Pelvic floor muscle training for urgency urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review. Int Urogynecol J 23, 687–697 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1651-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1651-5

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