Effect of Exercise and Biofeedback on Symptoms of Incontinence in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence

Effect of Exercise and Biofeedback on Symptoms of Incontinence in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence

Effect of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Biofeedback on Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Muscle Contractions and Quality of Life in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence

The overall purpose of this research is to determine the effect of ultrasound imaging biofeedback on urine leakage, pelvic floor muscle contractions, and quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence. This study will include women 20 years or older with stress urinary incontinence. The study will involve 2 groups: pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises with biofeedback using transabdominal Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) (Group A) and PFM exercises alone (Group B). The participants will perform 16 exercise sessions over a period of 8 weeks. Group A will perform 3 pelvic floor exercises using the transabdominal RUSI to provide biofeedback. Group B will perform the same 3 pelvic floor exercises without biofeedback. All participants involved in the study will complete a general medical information questionnaire. In addition, all participants will have their PFM contraction assessed using an ultrasound machine placed over the lower abdomen, quality of life assessed with a written questionnaire, and given a 7-day bladder diary to complete prior to, at 4-weeks, and at completion of the study.

stress urinary incontinence, exercise, pelvic floor muscles, biofeedback, rehabilitative ultrasound imaging

Change in the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles from baseline to the midpoint and completion of the study

Pelvic floor muscle lift and length of pelvic floor muscle contraction will be measured using transabdominal ultrasound imaging. Ability to maintain continence during a cough will be measured by asking the participant to stand, contract the pelvic floor muscles, and cough. The participant will state whether or not they leaked urine.

Change in the number of incontinent episodes per week from baseline to the midpoint and conclusion of the study

Inclusion Criteria: women will need to be 20 years or older diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Exclusion Criteria: women with: urge or mixed incontinence pelvic organ prolapse previous surgical treatment for incontinence current treatment for SUI (including medications) current pregnancy six months or less postpartum body mass index of ≥ 30 recurrent vulvovaginitis current/recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) non-English speaking.