The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening Exercise Treatment Program For Stress Incontinence of The Older Women

노인여성의 복압성요실금에 대한 골반저근육강화 운동치료 프로그램의 효과

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program for the older women with stress incontinence. The researcher developed 8 weeks training program which was implemented at a social welfare center in Seoul. The exercise method followed the Kegel criteria. Verbal instructions were given to the subjects. Subjects were confirmed of the exercises and evaluated by description of the exercise method. Fourteen elderly women(mean age 75.7) with stress incontinence participated and completed this program. The training sessions were held twice a week and each session took 45 minutes ; 15 minutes for pelvic floor muscle strengthening program and 30 minutes for other physical therapy. Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise program was applied using verbal instruction and practice at social welfare center, twice a week and daily home exercise program were given to each individual. The results were as follows ; 1. There was significant decrease of lower urinary symptoms in the subjects (p = 0.00) 2 But there was no significant change in the sexual matters (p = 0.44) and the life style (p = 0.41) In conclusion, further study with larger sample group is suggested in order to confirm the study result. Because of limited sample size, the study results were not conclusive. But the pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program could be a safe and effective program and is suggestive for the community residing older women with stress incontinence as a geriatric physical therapy intervention.