The effects of pelvic floor muscle training on symptom and quality of life in female patients with overactive bladder

Abstract

Objective To elavluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on symptoms and quality of life in the treatment of female overactive bladder (OAB).Methods Ninety-one female patients with OAB completed the prospective study and were divided into 2 groups.The study group had PFMT combined with comprehensive health education and tolterodine (n =46),and the control group had comprehensive health education combined with tolterodine (n =45).OAB symptom score (OABSS),King's health questionnaire (KHQ) and modified Oxford scale (MOS) were evaluated at baseline,2 weeks,1 month and 3 months.The patients were followed up for 6 months.Results The MOS and OABSS score in study group before the treatment were 2.87±0.65 and 7.61 ±2.28,respectively,and in control group they were 2.80±0.55 and 7.44±2.41,respectively.There was no significant difference between the 2 grotps (P＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in KHQ domains before the treatment between the 2 groups (P＞ 0.05).The MOS scores were 3.15±0.63 and 3.57±0.58 after treatment of 1 and 3 months in study group,which were significantly improved compared with the values of 2.89±0.57 and 3.09±0.67 in control group (P＜0.05).The OABSS score was 1.13± 1.93 in study group after treatment of 6 months,which was significantly improved compared with the values of 2.47±2.18 in control group (P＜0.05).The Incontinence impact,Role Limitations,Physical Limitations,Social Limitations and Symptom Severity in study group improved significantly compared with the values in control group after treatment of 3 months (P＜0.05).Domains of KHQ scores were totally significantly improved after treatment of 6 months in study group than in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Long term PFMT may play an important role in the treatment of OAB,and can also improve the quality of life of the patients. Key words: Female; Overactive bladder; Pelvic muscle exercises; Quality of life