The role of pelvic floor exercises on post-prostatectomy incontinence
Abstract
PURPOSE: Post-radical prostatectomy incontinence occurs in 0.5% to 87% of patients. This condition may be attributable to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, and/or detrusor abnormalities. Previous studies of pelvic floor exercise (PFE) for improving post-prostatectomy incontinence have shown mixed results. We determined whether preoperative and early postoperative biofeedback enhanced PFE with a dedicated physical therapist would improve the early return of urinary incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy from November 1998 to June 1999 were randomly assigned to a control or a treatment group. The treatment group of 19 patients was referred to physical therapy and underwent PFE sessions before and after surgery. Patients were also given instructions to continue PFE at home twice daily after surgery. The control group of 19 men underwent surgery without formal PFE instructions. All patients completed postoperative urinary incontinence questionnaires at 6, 12, 16, 20, 28 and 52 weeks. Incontinence was measured by the number of pads used with 0 or 1 daily defined as continence.
RESULTS: Overall 66% of the patients were continent at 16 weeks. A greater fraction of the treatment group regained urinary continence earlier compared with the control group at 12 weeks (p <0.05). Three control and 2 treatment group patients had severe incontinence (greater than 3 pads daily) at 16 and 52 weeks. Of all patients 82% regained…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 38 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.