The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of postural reeducation compared to pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms, the impact of UI, and quality of life (QoL) in women experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
The study is designed as a randomized- controlled trial. It will be carried out on women suffering from stress urinary incontinence referred after urology consultations to the Physiotherapy Clinic in Soad Kafafy hospital. UI, particularly SUI, affects up to 28% of the population and occurs during activities like coughing or sneezing due to inadequate urethral closure pressure. The pelvic floor muscles play a critical role in supporting pelvic organs and maintaining continence. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a significant contributor to SUI. Postural dysfunction can increase mechanical stress and lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. Postural re-education techniques aim to correct imbalances and improve pelvic floor muscle activity, potentially alleviating SUI symptoms by restoring muscle efficiency and enhancing continence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
The program will include postural awareness, stretching, McKenzie's method, and manual therapy for 12 weeks.
The program will include pelvic floor exercises for 12 weeks. Three sets of 10 long contractions will be performed, each sustained for 6-8 seconds, three times a day. After each contraction, participants will be asked to rest for the same period. Two series of 10 fast contractions will be recommended, consisting of short, quick exercises of 1- to 2-second contractions, followed by long, sustained exercises lasting 5-10 seconds.
Faculty of physical therapy, MUST University
Giza, Egypt
Urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms
UI symptoms will be measured using a 48-hour Pad Test \[14\]. This is a standardized test for assessing urine leakage that can be performed at home\[15\]. Women replace pads as needed over the course of 48 hours. The results are calculated by subtracting the net weight of used pads from the total weight of non-used pads. The Pad Test results can be classified as mild (4-20 g), moderate (21-74 g), or severe UI (\> 75 g).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Urinary incontinence (UI) impact
It will be assessed using the International Consultation Incontinence Short-Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). UI impact will be derived from the values of the third question assessing overall impact ("How much does leaking urine interfere with everyday life?", ranging from 0 to 10), with a higher score indicating a greater UI impact.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Urinary incontinence-Quality of life (UI-QoL)
It will be assessed using the International Consultation Incontinence Short-Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). The UI-QoL will be calculated using the questionnaire's final score (range from 0 to 21), which is the total of the three items, with a higher score indicating more severe UI and a bigger influence on QoL.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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