Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women. A Cochrane systematic review.

Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training for women with urinary incontinence in comparison to no treatment, placebo or sham treatments, or other inactive control treatments. The review included randomized or quasi-randomized trials in women with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence. Thirteen trials involving 714 women met the inclusion criteria; however, only six trials (403 women) contributed to data analysis.

This review provides support for the widespread recommendation that pelvic floor muscle training be included in first-line conservative management programs for women with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence.        

European Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2008, 44(2), 47-63

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