Effect of a Nurse-Led Remote Guided Pelvic Floor Exercise Program on Stress Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Function and Sexual Function in Patients after Total Hysterectomy: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy is associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), pelvic floor muscle weakness and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor exercises have emerged as a potential intervention for addressing these challenges, with remote guided programs offering personalised care. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effect of a nurse-led remote guided pelvic floor exercise program on in patients after total hysterectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 81 patients who underwent pelvic floor exercises after total hysterectomy. The patients were divided into regular pelvic floor exercise group (n = 40) and nurse-led remote guided pelvic floor exercise group (n = 41). The severity of SUI in patients was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). The strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles were assessed using a pressure sensor before and after treatment, and sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. The nurse-led remote guided pelvic floor exercise group had a significantly greater reduction in urinary incontinence severity (65.00% vs. 85.37%, χ2 = 4.516, p = 0.034) and a lower post-treatment SUI frequency (1.76 ± 0.75 vs. 2.15 ± 0.95, t = 2.059, p = 0.043). Additionally, this group showed better improvements in muscle strength and endurance (25.61 ± 5.69 vs. 23.19 ± 5.02, t = 2.036, p = 0.045) and FSFI score (29.67 ± 4.05 vs. 27.91 ± 3.83, t = 2.011, p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates that a nurse-led remote guided pelvic floor exercise program is associated with significant improvements in SUI, pelvic floor muscle function and sexual well-being in patients after total hysterectomy.