Effectiveness of Hypopressive Exercise on Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Muscle Activation among Multiparous Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

2 Assistant professor of Maternity and neonatal health nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Egypt

3 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

4 Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Hypopressive exercise has gained attention as a non-invasive approach and is indicated to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle weakness. Aim: this study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypopressive exercise on stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle activation among multiparous women. Method: A quasi-experimental research design was used in this study at Gynecological Outpatient Clinic of New Obstetric & Gynecological hospital and Obstetric & Gynecological inpatient wards at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. A purposive sample of 120 multiparous women was divided into two groups: the control group who got conventional care and the intervention group who received hypopressive exercise in addition to conventional care. Data was collected using three tools; a structured interview schedule, pelvic floor muscle assessment tool and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Results: There were no significant differences between the studied women in terms of pelvic floor muscle strength, pelvic floor distress, pelvic floor impact, or the severity of urinary incontinence symptoms at baseline. However, 4 and 8 weeks after exercise, pelvic floor muscle strength and severity of stress urinary incontinence symptoms were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (3.85±0.74 vs.3.20±0.65, p =0.002) and (4.06±0.70 vs. 3.33±0.64, p <0.001) / (11.8±5.27 vs. 15.9±4.01, p<0.001) and (9.97±4.25 vs. 15.12±4.15, p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Hypopressive exercise is an effective non-invasive technique that enhances pelvic floor muscle strength, alleviates pelvic floor dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence symptoms. Recommendation: Hypopressive exercise should be integrated into routine care for postnatal women.

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