Effects of a newly developed body technique program vs. pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence outcomes in middle-aged women.

BACKGROUND: Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can be considered the gold standard in the conservative treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms, the new Body technique (BT) approach is based on the connection of the pelvic region with the activation of the whole body, which includes breathing, posture and energy flow. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to examine the effects of BT and PFMT programs on UI outcomes in middle-aged women.

METHODS: In this randomized, controlled study, participants were 46 female subjects with an average age of 51 ± 7 years, who had undergone a gynecological examination and suffered from UI. Out of 46 subjects, 23 of them were randomly selected to participate in the experimental program of BT, while the remaining 23 participated in the conservative PFMT program for 8 weeks. The following parameters were used to determine the gynecological findings: perineometer, incontinence symptom reduction questionnaire, PAD test and urination diary. Anthropometric measurements included measurement of pelvic span, and measurement of change in chest circumference at mammillary level. Quality of life and vitality were assessed by valid questionnaires.

RESULTS: Both programs showed positive changes in parameters of gynecological status, anthropometric measures and quality of life. A significant increase in the strength of the pelvic floor measured with a perineometer (F1.44 = 23.064, p < 0.001) and a decrease in the degree of self-assessment of incontinence (F1.44 = 27.515, p < 0.001), the value of the PAD test (F1.44 = 8.362, p = 0.006) and fewer episodes of urination (F1.44 = 17.749, p < 0.001). Also, significant increases in the measurements of the pelvic span (F1.44 = 133,263; p < 0.001), and in the chest circumference at the mammillary level (F1.44 = 33,939; p < 0.001), were observed, followed by significant improvement in the quality of life (F1.44 = 35.368; p < 0.001), while values in the vitality status did not change in both groups (F1.44 = 0.436; p = 0.512). The interaction of time and group showed that the BT had significant more positive and greater effects on the measurements of the pelvic span (F1.44 = 66.341; p < 0.001), while in other variables, no interactions were observed.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that both programs have similar positive effects on pelvic health, with the BT group performing better in the anthropological measurements of pelvic span. BT can be a new intervention method to reduce symptoms of female UI.