2016 Volume 43 Issue 6 Pages 453-460
Purpose: We investigated the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on pelvic floor function, urogenital symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with mild pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using objective outcome measures.
Method: Women who were diagnosed with stage II POP by a urologist were included in this study. All participants underwent PFMT for 16 weeks. A physical therapist asked them to attend six appointments for individual intervention during the study period. We assessed pelvic floor muscle strength, degree of pelvic organ descent, urogenital symptoms, and QOL scores and compared them between baseline and after PFMT.
Results: Seventeen female participants aged 67.5 ± 7.0 years were included in this study. Pelvic floor muscle strength and the descent of the anterior vaginal wall were significantly improved after PFMT (p < 0.05). There was significant improvement of voiding frequency, stress urinary incontinence, post micturition dribble, and vaginal bulge interfering with emptying bowels (p < 0.05). The scores of physical limitations (p < 0.05) and emotions (p < 0.01) in the QOL questionnaire were significantly improved compared with the baseline results.
Conclusion: The present study indicates that PFMT may improve pelvic floor muscle function, position of the anterior vaginal wall, some urogenital symptoms, and QOL in patients with mild POP.
