The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) in addition to high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pelvic floor dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence. Women with SUI will be randomly assigned to PFMT (Group I), Laser + PFMT (Group II), and placebo laser (Group III). PFMT will be administered twice weekly for 10 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. PFMT will be administered with biofeedback. HFMT will be applied to six points in the perineal region (2 minutes per point). The intensity will be 6W, the energy density will be 120J/cm2, and three sessions will be administered weekly for a total of six sessions. Women included in the study will be evaluated twice, at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, with the Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), Incontinence Severity Index (ISI), Female Sexual Function Scale-(FSFI), and Global Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (GPTRA).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
36
PFMT, patients are taught pelvic floor exercises, which involve slow and fast muscle contractions that train both Type 1 and Type 2 muscle fibers, using vaginal palpation. During fast contractions, patients are asked to quickly contract and relax their pelvic floor muscles. The image of "turning the faucet off and on" is used to help patients better understand this exercise. During slow contractions, patients are asked to slowly tighten their pelvic floor muscles, hold them for 10 seconds, and then slowly relax them. One set of pelvic floor muscle exercises consists of 10 fast contractions and 10 slow contractions. According to this program, pelvic floor exercises are performed in weeks 1-2, in weeks 3-4, in weeks 5-6, in weeks 8-12, and in weeks 10. Laser application is applied to 6 points in the perineal area. Continue and biostimulatory mode, intensity 6W, energy density 120J/cm2. Application time is 2 minutes for each point, and a total of 6 sessions are applied 3 time
The laser device will be held on 6 points in the perineal area for the same period of time without being plugged in.
In this training, patients are taught pelvic floor exercises, which involve slow and fast muscle contractions that train both Type 1 and Type 2 muscle fibers, using vaginal palpation. During fast contractions, patients are asked to quickly contract and relax their pelvic floor muscles. The image of "turning the faucet off and on" is used to help patients better understand this exercise. During slow contractions, patients are asked to slowly tighten their pelvic floor muscles, hold them for 10 seconds, and then slowly relax them. One set of pelvic floor muscle exercises consists of 10 fast contractions and 10 slow contractions. According to this program, pelvic floor exercises are performed in weeks 1-2, 2 sets in weeks 3-4, 4 sets in weeks 5-6, 8 sets in weeks 7-8, and 10 sets in weeks 8-12. Assessments will be conducted twice, baseline and post treatment (at 10 week).
Physical Therapy Hospital
Meram, Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Urinary incontinence severity
The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI): This is a two-question questionnaire that helps calculate the severity of urinary incontinence in patients. It categorizes incontinence severity into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. It is a useful method for monitoring and assessing incontinence severity.
Time frame: baseline, post treatment (at 10 week)
The impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life
The Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) will be used to determine the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life in women. It consists of questions under three headings: behavioral, psychological, and social impact. The questions will be asked of the participants and recorded.
Time frame: baseline, post treatment (at 10 week)
pelvic floor dysfuntion severity
The Global Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (GPTRA): This questionnaire consists of nine questions addressing pelvic floor dysfunction. A higher total score indicates a greater degree of symptoms. Participants were asked questions and recorded.
Time frame: baseline, post treatment (at 10 week)
Sexually Dysfunction
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): It consists of nineteen separate questions. It has six subscales: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, general satisfaction, and pain. Questions 3-14 and 15-19 are scored on a 6-point Likert-type scale (0-5), while the remaining questions are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1-5). The scale, which can be applied to those who have had sexual intercourse within the last month, is scored negatively, with higher scores interpreted as indicating no or low sexual dysfunction. The highest possible score is 36.0, and the lowest is 2.0. The cut-off score is 26.55. Scores of 26.55 and below are considered to indicate sexual dysfunction.
Time frame: baseline, post treatment (at 10 week)
pelvic floor muscle function
Pelvic floor muscle function will be assessed with EMG biofeedback.
Time frame: baseline, post treatment (at 10 week)
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