A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening Exercises on Erectile Dysfunction in Rectal Cancer Survivors at Tertiary Cancer Hospital, TMH, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A study to assess the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises on erectile dysfunction in rectal cancer survivors at tertiary cancer hospital, TMH, Mumbai. METHODOLOGY: Single arm prospective study approach was used for the study. The research design was self-controlled trial design. Sample size were 39 participants who received an intervention of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises in the selected areas of Tata Memorial Hospital. Data gathered was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants had filled SHIM questionnaire pre intervention. Questionnaire had 5 different questions in terms of Confidence, erection, penetration, difficulty and satisfaction. Patients had been taught Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises on Day 0, which were asked to carry out 3 times a day for a period of 10 weeks. Assessment was done at the end of 10 weeks. RESULTS OF THE STUDIES: In pre-intervention SHIM questionnaire, Mean score and Standard Deviation among 5 questions were Confidence (2.6154±0.5901), Erection (2.5128±0.6014), Penetration (2.1764±0.3888), Difficulty(2.2564±0.5964) and satisfaction(2.2821±0.5595). In Post intervention SHIM score among 5 questions were Confidence (3.0513±0.6047), Erection(2.8974±0.6804), Penetration(2.3590±0.6277), Difficulty(2.3590±0.6277) and satisfaction(2.6410±0.6684) The confidence, erection, satisfaction post intervention were statistically highly significant in participants (P< 0.001) and in term of Difficulty it was statistically significant (P 0.005). The Wilcoxon signed rank test explained that there was a significant increase in the scores of confidence (4.123), erection (3.873) and satisfaction (3.500). They were highly statistically significant (P< 0.001). There was a significant increase seen in the scores of penetration (4.123) and difficulty (3.873). They were statistically significant (p 0.001 and 0.046) respectively. Hence the pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises were helpful in improving erectile dysfunction among rectal cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that null hypothesis H0 is rejected and H1 hypothesis of Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises has helped to improve erectile dysfunction among men. Limitation being since study time was for 10 weeks only, the results for better outcome in terms of penetration and difficulty can have continuous exercises and then follow up.