Abstract
Forty-seven women participated in a pilot study for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for women with prolapse. Women with symptomatic stage I or II prolapse [measured by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q)] were randomized to a 16-week physiotherapy intervention (PFMT and lifestyle advice;n = 23) or a control group receiving a lifestyle advice sheet (n = 24). Symptom severity and quality of life were measured via postal questionnaires. Blinded POP-Q was performed at baseline and follow-up. Intervention women had significantly greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptoms (mean score decrease 3.5 versus 0.1,p = 0.021), were significantly more likely to have an improved prolapse stage (45% versus 0%,p = 0.038) and were significantly more likely to say their prolapse was better (63% versus 24%,p = 0.012). The data support the feasibility of a substantive trial of PFMT for prolapse. A multi-centre trial is underway.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 45-51 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International urogynecology journal |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Sep 2008 |
Keywords
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Physiotherapy
- pilot study
- POP-Q