Investigation of the effects of Kegel exercises on vaginal flatus among postpartum women: a randomized controlled trial.

To compare the effectiveness of the Paula method (circular muscle exercises) vs. pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) exercises on sexual function (SF) and quality of life (QoL) of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in outpatient urban community clinics serving diverse socioeconomic populations between September 2004 and July 2005. The intervention included two exercise regimens: Paula method--12 weeks of private 45 minutes sessions; PFMT--12 weeks of group (up to 10 participants) sessions of 30 minutes in length once a week, for 4 weeks plus two additional sessions, 3 weeks apart. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire; the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire; 1-hour clinic pad test; gynecological examination; demographic/health history. Sixty-six women in the Paula group and 60 women in the PFMT group. The mean SF scores post interventions were 38.72 (5.35) in the Paula group and 38.07 (5.80) in the PFMT group. SF score improvement was found to be significant in both groups (Paula, P = 0.01; PFMT, P = 0.05), as was in the QoL scores (Paula, P < 0.001; PFMT, P ≤ 0.001), with no significant difference between groups. There was a significant correlation between the mean SF score and the mean QoL score after the intervention (Paula: r = 0.4, P = 0.002; PFMT: r = 0.4, P = 0.009). A mild to moderate significant correlation was also found between the SF score and pad test results in both groups post intervention (r = -0.3, P = 0.02; r = -0.3, P = 0.04, respectively). This RCT study demonstrated the effectiveness of two exercise methods on SF and QoL in women suffering from SUI. The Paula method of exercise was presented for the first time in the literature as a conservative noninvasive treatment for SUI and SF.

Introduction: UI is one among the commonest problem faced by the women. The prevalence of UI worldwide ranges from 10% to 40%. It is a chronic condition which carries an enormous stigma. This stigma and lack of knowledge on urinary incontinence and the importance of performing pelvic floor exercises adversely affects the health in women. Pelvic floor muscle exercise is the most preferred method in managing urinary incontinence in all age groups and it is a non-Pharmacological, non-invasive method which in addition to that it is an easy method to practice and economical to follow by all age groups. The researcher felt the need to do the study on the effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise (PFME) for the treatment of Urinary Incontinence (UI) among women in a selected community of New Delhi with the objectives: • To assess the Pre- test urinary incontinence in Control & Experimental group. • To Implement the Pelvic floor Muscle Exercise on Experimental group. • To assess the Post –test urinary incontinence in control & experimental group. • To assess the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises in treatment of urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: An experimental study with pre-test and post-test control group design was used for the study. The study was conducted in Sangam Vihar community. The total population of the study consisted of women in the age group of 50-70 years having Urinary Incontinence. Systematic random sampling technique was adopted to select 60 women who met the inclusion criteria; 30 in experimental group and 30 in control group. Pre and post intervention (Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise) Urinary Incontinence was assessed in the group with the help of Standardized assessment tool ICIQ-LUTS long form & 1 hour Pad testing. Result: The findings of the study revealed that in experimental group there was a significant reduction in the mean difference score of urinary tract symptoms from pre-test -post test mean difference score of (2.20) with the SD of (4.131) when compared to the control group where mean difference score was ( -0.37) with the SD (1.829). The t value was computed and found to be 3.112 which was greater than the table value of 2.00 at df (58) at 0.05 level of significance. The mean difference score proved that the pelvic floor muscle exercise was effective in reducing the symptoms in experimental group as compared to control group. There was significant reduction in the mean difference score of impact of urinary tract symptoms (20.63) with the SD of (30.07) in the experimental group when compared to the control groups where mean difference score was (1.566) with the SD of (6.806). The t value was computed and found to be 3.391 which was greater than the table value of 2.00 at df (58) at 0.05 level of significance. The mean difference score of pad weight was (0.156) with the SD (0.292) in the experimental group where in control group mean difference score was (-0.010) with the SD of 0.257. The t value was computed and found to be 2.343 which was greater than the table value of 2.00 at df (58) at 0.05 level of significance, showing that PFME was effective in the treatment of UI in experimental group. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that the Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise is effective in treatment of Urinary Incontinence among women in the age group of 50 to 70 years.

<strong>Background:</strong> Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) seriously affects the patients’ quality of life, and its incidence is closely related to pregnancy and delivery. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a conservative treatment of PFD. For decades, different researchers have conducted PFMT research on different female groups. However, the efficacy of PFMT for pregnant and postpartum women is controversial. Therefore, this article aimed to systematic review the efficacy of PFMT for them. This article reviewed the relationship between the occurrence and development of PFD during pregnancy and delivery, and the effect of PFMT on PFD in pregnant and postpartum women. <strong>Method:</strong> We used the keywords of “pelvic floor dysfunction” and “pelvic floor muscles training”, and focused on the study of PFMT during pregnancy and postpartum. Finally, 54 related studies were selected, including randomized controlled trials, quasi experimental trials, observational studies, longitudinal cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and systematic reviews. <strong>Result:</strong> During pregnancy, PFMT can prevent the occurrence of PFD in late pregnancy and early postpartum, and in the early postpartum period, PFMT can improve the symptoms of PFD. PFMT has a protective effect on the pelvic floor without obvious negative effects. However, PFMT has not been popularized in pregnant and postpartum women. And its beneficial effects cannot be maintained for a long time if women cannot insist on it for a long time. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The popularization and standard guidance of PFMT during the pregnancy and postpartum period should be strengthened vigorously in hospital. The development of a personalized PFMT program according to the individual situation of pregnant and postpartum women can improve the pelvic floor symptoms and their quality of life of women.

Our study piloted a novel, two-tiered approach to delivering pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to postpartum women involving a standardized group workshop followed by the opportunity to self-select for individual PFMT sessions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes in women who self-selected for individual PFMT using validated quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), as well as the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS) for strength. Women's satisfaction with the program was also assessed. This was a single-center prospective cohort study conducted between December 2013 and September 2014. Changes from baseline to postintervention QoL and MOS scores were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Two hundred and eighteen women attended the workshop, 54 enrolled in PFMT sessions, and 50 completed follow-up. Significant improvements were seen in the PFDI-20 (mean change -41.8, p < 0.001) and PFIQ-7 (mean change -23.0, p < 0.001) questionnaires. Results for the PISQ-12 could not be tabulated, as there were too many missing responses. The MOS score was significantly improved from baseline (4; range {0-5} compared with 3; range {0-4}; p < 0.001). Forty-nine of 50 women's expectations for the program were met [9 of 10; standard deviation (SD) 1.4]. Results suggest that a two-tiered, self-selection approach to administering PFMT in the postpartum period contributes to significant improvements in pelvic floor function, QoL, MOS strength, and to high satisfaction rates.

Background: The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) is high and it is associated with substantial physical and psychological morbidity, and large societal costs. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for stress UI in women. The effect of PFMT on stress UI is influenced by the subjects' adherence to PFMT program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of weekly follow up telephone call by a physician on the adherence to PFMT program and the therapeutic effect of PFMT on stress UI in women. Methods This study was a quasi-randomized trial. We divide eligible women with stress UI into control group and experimental group alternatively according to the order of enrollment. The subjects in the control group were taught with a routine PFMT program, a video explaining the cause of stress UI and how to perform PFMT, and then were recommended to do home-based PFMT for 8 weeks. Subjects in the experimental group were followed with a weekly telephone call by a physician in addition to routine PFMT program for the control group. All patients were requested to return to out-patient department every 4 weeks. Adherence to PFMT was evaluated with the frequency of performing PFMT. If a subject performed PFMT ＞= 3 days every week, she would be categorized as adherent to PFMT. The therapeutic effect of PFMT was evaluated by a question on the condition of urine leak after 8 weeks of enrollment. If a subject answered urine leakage was cured or was much improved, she would be categorized as a subject with effective therapy. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the difference in adherence rate and therapeutic effect between different groups. Results: There were 50 subjects enrolled for each group. The rate of adherence to PFME for subjects in the experimental group (45/50, 90.0%) was significant higher (X^2=25.6684, p＜0.05) than those in the control group (21/50, 42.0%). The rate of effective therapy for subjects adherent to PFMT (51/66, 77.3%) was significant higher (X^2=26.7939, p＜0.05) than those not adherent to PFMT (8/34, 23.5%). Conclusion: A weekly telephone call by a physician increased the adherence rate of PFMT. Adherence to PFMT improved the therapeutic effect of PFMT for stress UI.

Objectives The primary objective of this review was to determine, from the available evidence, the effectiveness of an antenatal and/or a post-natal program of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) compared with usual care on preventing, reducing or resolving the incidence and severity of stress incontinence, urge incontinence or mixed stress and urge urinary incontinence following childbirth. Secondary objectives were included to examine the effectiveness of a PFME program on pelvic floor muscle strength and on encouraging adherence to an exercising program. Inclusion criteria Types of studies Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials were included in the review if, in relation to urinary incontinence, and/or adherence to a PFME program, and/or pelvic floor muscle strength, the following had been explored: antenatal PFME compared with usual care; post-natal PFME compared with usual care; a PFME program compared with usual care. Usual care is commonly used to describe the care women normally receive from health professionals in the antenatal and/or post-natal period. In some cases usual care includes a standard information package given to all women attending the health service and in others it is advice about performing PFME. Types of participants Participants included women who experienced a spontaneous onset of labour and who subsequently delivered at more than 20 weeks gestation either vaginally, both spontaneous and assisted, or by non-elective caesarean section. Exclusions: women who delivered by elective caesarean section; women experiencing post-partum overflow urinary incontinence. Types of interventions 1 Pelvic floor muscle exercises. 2 PFME instruction and a PFME program's components, such as educational materials, feedback (including biofeedback, e.g. information about strength of pelvic floor muscle contractions by various means) and number of PFME. Exclusions: electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles; vaginal cones; or other adjunct therapies. In studies that included a subgroup treated with one of these interventions, the results of the subgroup were excluded from the review's analysis. Types of outcome measures Outcomes that were of interest: non-occurrence of urinary incontinence following childbirth; a change in the frequency, duration or severity (as appropriate) of urinary incontinence up to 12 months following childbirth. a change in the strength of pelvic floor muscle contractions; period of time PFME continued after initial instruction; frequency of PFME undertaken; women's awareness of the importance of PFME; satisfaction with PFME instruction. Search strategy All major electronic sources of information relevant to the topic (e.g. PubMed, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library) were searched to identify published and unpublished studies and previous work in the field. Printed journals were hand-searched and reference lists checked for potentially useful research. The review included any studies undertaken between 1981 and 2003. The search did not attempt to locate unpublished research before 1991. Assessment of quality An independent Review Panel carried out quality assessment of studies. Two members of the panel, using quality assessment checklists developed for the review, reviewed each study. Disagreements between reviewers were resolved through discussion or a third reviewer examining a study. Data extraction and analysis A data extraction tool was developed to extract data relating to participant characteristics, study methods, interventions and outcomes. Two reviewers independently extracted the required data. Randomised controlled trials included in the review were pooled in several meta-analyses using RevMan software program. Heterogeneity between studies was determined to ensure that they were sufficiently similar to allow for the pooling of their results. Non-randomised controlled trials were discussed in narrative comparisons. Results Six randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for the primary objective of the systematic review. The results of this review indicate that antenatal PFME and post-natal PFME are effective in resolving or reducing urinary incontinence following childbirth. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that PFME can prevent urinary incontinence in post-partum women. In most of these studies women were selected randomly and therefore included women without urinary incontinence and women with urinary incontinence. Two randomised controlled trials selected their sample on the criteria of existing post-partum urinary incontinence. A subgroup analysis of these studies showed that post-natal PFME also have a significant effect on reducing or resolving urinary incontinence in women with existing post-partum urinary incontinence. Seven randomised controlled trials and three non-randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for the secondary objectives of the review. Findings of the studies included in the review suggest a PFME program will improve the frequency with which women perform PFME. Two studies found that women receiving the intervention (a PFME program) and who were performing PFME regularly in the month before data collection were significantly less likely to have any incontinence. The review's results support previous findings showing there is little evidence that a high-intensity PFME program is more effective than a low-intensity PFME regimen of exercising. No conclusions about the effectiveness of feedback to a woman about pelvic floor muscle strength, for example, perineometer measures, as part of a PFME program can be reached. The mixed results of this review mean that no conclusions can be reached about the effectiveness of a PFME program, antenatal or post-natal, on improving pelvic floor muscle strength. A number of studies reported a high percentage of women lost to follow-up and the data collected in most of the studies relied on self-reports relating to urinary incontinence and/or frequency of exercising. These factors may have affected the overall results of the review. However, wherever possible, tests for heterogeneity were carried out to determine if studies should be combined in meta-analyses and in other cases the results' limitations are acknowledged. Implications for practice In terms of the effectiveness of PFME programs, the results of this review indicate that urinary incontinence following childbirth can be improved by performing PFME and that any form of a specific PFME program appears to improve exercising frequency. However, the value of individual components of PFME programs, such as take-home materials, reminder telephone calls and feedback of exercising effectiveness, is less clear. Encourage women to undertake both antenatal and post-natal PFME (E1). Pay particular attention to women with antenatal and post-natal urinary incontinence in providing advice and PFME instruction (E1). To encourage adherence and continuation, PFME education programs should be multifaceted with a number of components, rather than only supplying an information booklet (E4). Include PFME as a specific program in all antenatal and post-natal care, incorporating at least two individual instruction sessions into the program (E1). Provide post-partum contact, particularly for those discharged early, either by telephone, electronic or home visits (E4). Design pelvic floor muscle home exercise programs that are realistic given the demands on a mother and that can be incorporated into her daily routine in terms of number and frequency. Two or more training sessions per week are recommended (E4). Health professionals working with women in the post-partum period should ask about symptoms of incontinence to ensure assistance is offered to those experiencing urinary incontinence (E4).

Effectiveness of a pelvic floor muscle exercise program on urinary incontinence following childbirth

Electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) can be regarded as an adjuvant to pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training (PFMT) for the management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of PFMT with and without EMG-BF on the cure and improvement rate, PFM strength, urinary incontinence score, and quality of sexual life for the treatment of SUI or pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI were systematically searched for studies published up to January 2021. The outcomes were the cure and improvement rate, symptom-related score, pelvic floor muscle strength change, and sexual life quality. Twenty-one studies (comprising 1967 patients with EMG-BF + PFMT and 1898 with PFMT) were included. Compared with PFMT, EMG-BF + PFMT had benefits regarding the cure and improvement rate in SUI (OR 4.82, 95% CI 2.21–10.51, P < 0.001; I2 = 85.3%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001) and in PFD (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.04–3.86, P < 0.001; I2 = 13.1%, Pheterogeneity = 0.331), and in quality of life using the I-QOL tool (SMD 1.47, 95% CI 0.69–2.26, P < 0.001; I2 = 90.1%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001), quality of sexual life using the FSFI tool (SMD 2.86, 95% CI 0.47–5.25, P = 0.019; I2 = 98.7%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001), urinary incontinence using the ICI-Q-SF tool (SMD − 0.62, 95% CI − 1.16, − 0.08, P = 0.024), PFM strength (SMD 1.72, 95% CI 1.08–2.35, P < 0.001; I2 = 91.4%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001), and urodynamics using Qmax (SMD 0.84, 95% CI 0.57–1.10, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.420) and MUCP (SMD 1.54, 95% CI 0.66–2.43, P = 0.001; I2 = 81.8%, Pheterogeneity = 0.019). There was limited evidence of publication bias. PFMT combined with EMG-BF achieves better outcomes than PFMT alone in SUI or PFD management.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01831-6.

Background: Current evidence on the effect of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training for promoting sexual function is limited. Recent reviews indicate need for high quality trials in this area. Objectives: To examine the effect of PFM training on sexual function (primary outcome), sexual quality of life, and PFM strength (secondary outcomes) in pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: This was an assessor-blind two parallel arm superiority trial. A total of 84 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at 17 - 20 weeks, aged 18 - 35 years, were recruited using purposive sampling among clients of five public health centers or two governmental maternity clinics in Sari-Iran. The recruitment was done from May to November 2014 and follow up ended on July 2015. Participants were equally allocated into either PFM training or routine care groups using block randomization. Women allocated to the PFM group received 4 sessions of supervised training, with practical, oral, and written instructions on how to continue performing regular PFM exercises at home. Female sexual function index, sexual quality of life questionnaire-female, and Oxford scoring were used to assess the outcomes at 28 - 30 weeks gestation and 80 - 90 days following birth. Results: There was one loss to follow-up from each group. A total of 6 women had not exercised regularly. Compared with the control group, the mean total sexual function score was significantly greater in the PFM training group during both pregnancy (29.3 vs 21.1; adjusted difference 9.4, 95%CI 7.7 to 11.0, P < 0.001) and postpartum (28.7 vs 16.0; adjusted difference 13.0, 95%CI 12.1 to 13.9, P < 0.001). Also, almost all domains of sexual function, sexual quality of life, and PFM strength during both periods improved significantly in women who received the PFM training compared with the controls. Conclusions: Based on the results, PFM training during pregnancy and postpartum could improve sexual function in nulliparous women. Therefore, it should be recommended to all of the women.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent during pregnancy and postpartum. UI in pregnancy strongly predicts UI postpartum and later in life. UI reduces women's wellbeing and quality of life and presents a significant burden to healthcare resource. A narrative review summarizing quantitative and qualitative evidence about pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for prevention and treatment of UI for childbearing women. There are clinically important reductions in the risk of developing UI in pregnancy and after delivery for pregnant women who start PFMT during pregnancy, and PFMT offers additional benefits preventing prolapse and improving sexual function. If women develop UI during pregnancy or postpartum then PFMT is an appropriate first-line treatment. For novice exercisers, a programme comprising eight contractions, with 8-s holds, three times a day, 3days a week, for at least 3months is a reasonable minimum and 'generic' prescription. All women need clear accurate verbal instruction in how to do PFMT. Incontinent women, and women who cannot do a correct contraction, require referral for pelvic floor rehabilitation. Behavioural support from maternity care providers (MCPs)-increasing women's opportunity, capability, and motivation for PFMT-is as important as the exercise prescription. PFMT is effective to prevent and treat UI in childbearing women. All pregnant and postpartum women, at every contact with a MCP, should be asked if they are continent. Continent women need exercise prescription and behavioural support to do PFMT to prevent UI. Incontinent women require appropriate referral for diagnosis or treatment.

Wstęp: Wysiłkowe nietrzymanie moczu (WNM) jest dolegliwością dotyczącą wielu kobiet w różnych okresach życia. Szacuje się, iż prawie 60% z nich w wieku perimenopauzalnym doświadczy wpływu WNM na jakość życia (QOL). Według International Continence Society leczenie rozpoczyna się od metod zachowawczych, do których zalicza się gimnastykę mięśni dna miednicy (MDM).Celem pracy było porównanie QOL pacjentek z WNM I stopnia po zastosowaniu gimnastyki MDM z mięśniem synergistycznym oraz gimnastyki wyłącznie MDM, którą przeprowadzono w okresie 3 miesięcy. Dodatkowo oceniono wpływ wskaźnika masy ciała (BMI), wskaźnika dystrybucji tkanki tłuszczowej w organizmie (WHR), liczby porodów oraz statusu menopauzalnego na efektywność leczenia.Materiały i metody: Do badania zakwalifikowano 140 kobiet będących w okresie okołomenopauzalnym, ze zdiagnozowanym WNM I stopnia. W obu grupach wiek pacjentek wynosił średnio 51–53 lata, a BMI wahało się w granicach 27,4 kg/m2, natomiast WHR wynosił 0,88 i 0,81. Zastosowano kwestionariusz ICIQ LUTS qol badający QOL przed i po leczeniu zachowawczym. Dodatkowo zalecono estrogeny dopochwowe (estriol) przez cały okres leczenia. Do obliczeń statystycznych użyto pakiet Satistica v. 12.0 PL firmy StatSoft, USA.Wyniki: Analiza wyników pochodzących z kwestionariusza ICIQ LUTS qol wykazała, iż jakość życia pacjentek poprawiła się w większości badanych obszarów. Istotna zmiana nie pojawiła się w relacjach międzyludzkich. Dowiedziono, iż w badanych grupach gimnastka MDM z mięśniem synergistycznym oraz gimnastyka wyizolowanych MDM jest skuteczna. Wykazano wpływ takich czynników jak WHR, liczba porodów czy status menopauzalny na skuteczność przeprowadzonego leczenia.Wnioski: Gimnastyka MDM i mięśnia synergistycznego oraz wyizolowanych MDM wpłynęły na poprawę QOL pacjentek z WNM I stopnia. Tylko status menopauzalny, WHR oraz liczba porodów wpłynęły na wynik leczenia zachowawczego. Zwięzła wersja rozprawy doktorskiej przyjętej przez Radę Wydziału Nauk o Zdrowiu Pomorskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Szczecinie. Promotor: dr hab. n. med., prof. PUM Agnieszka Brodowska. Oryginał obejmuje: 132 strony, 15 tabel, 11 rycin i 213 pozycji piśmiennictwa.

Objective To evaluate the effect of pelvic muscle exercise on quality of sexual life after panhysterectomy surgery.Methods A retrospective review was made on 166 patients with integrated follow-up documents,after their panhysterectomy surgery caused by benign diseases.A normal nursing care was provided to the control group (n=81); while an additional pelvic muscle exercise was performed on the normal care basis,to those in the experimental group (n=85).Finally,a questionnaire on sexual life quality was made at the sixth month,ninth month,and twelfth month respectively,using a repeated measure ANOVA to analyze the data of each dimension and the whole score.Results Significant differences revealed both on the whole score and dimensions of the sexual satisfaction,sexual communication,sexual anxiety and sexual reaction,in different time sites.However,no difference was found in sexual attitude and body image.Besides,a cross interaction was found between time and intervention,where intervention presented different effects.Conclusions Pelvic muscle exercise is recommended in gynecological continuing nursing care to facilitate the recovery of sexual life after panhysterectomy surgery. Key words: Pelvic floor muscle exercise; Panhysterectomy surgery; Quality of sexual life

Conservative interventions for treating urinary incontinence in women: an Overview of Cochrane systematic reviews.

Intervention effects maintenance: 6-month randomized controlled trial follow-up of standard and reflexive pelvic floor muscle training

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in postpartum women and can lead to a reduced quality of life and withdrawal from fitness and exercise activities. Conservative management interventions such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), use of vaginal cones, and biofeedback have been recommended as first-line treatment. We aimed to explore the effects of conservative interventions on UI rate, severity, and incontinence-specific quality of life in postpartum women with UI. Nine databases were searched from inception to August 2022: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biological Medicine, and VIP Journal Integration Platform. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of conservative interventions on postpartum UI were included. Initial searches produced 1839 results, of which 17 studies were eligible. All included studies had a low to moderate risk of bias. Supervised PFMT and use of a vaginal cone were more effective than individual PFMT in decreasing rates of UI (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.61). Individual PFMT combined with acupuncture (mean difference, -1.91; 95% CI, -2.46 to -1.37) or electroacupuncture and supervised PFMT combined with moxibustion were more effective than individual supervised PFMT alone in improving the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, electrical stimulation and biofeedback combined with acupoint stimulation or core training were more effective than electrical stimulation and biofeedback alone. For improving the incontinence-specific quality of life, supervised PFMT was more efficacious than individual PFMT; electrical stimulation and biofeedback plus core training were more beneficial than electrical stimulation and biofeedback alone. Supervised PFMT and use of a vaginal cone were more beneficial in decreasing rates of UI compared with individual PFMT. Superior effects in decreasing UI severity may be achieved by combining PFMT or electrical simulation and biofeedback with other therapies. Electrical stimulation and biofeedback plus core training, as well as supervised PFMT, are most effective in improving incontinence-specific quality of life. Further research is required to provide more evidence on the efficacy of these therapies.