The effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise-based interventions on urinary incontinence during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME)-based interventions on urinary incontinence outcomes during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and the YÖK Thesis Center. The literature search was conducted between February 2026 and March 2026, with no restrictions on publication year. Data were synthesized using meta-analysis and narrative synthesis methods.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies involving 1,090 women were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The analyses revealed that pelvic floor muscle exercise-based interventions statistically significantly improved urinary incontinence outcomes and had a moderate effect size. (SMD: 0.534; 95% CI: 0.108 to 0.960; Z = 2.459; p = 0.014; I² = 90.370). The study found that the country where the intervention was implemented influenced the effect size of PFME interventions for pregnant women (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that PFME-based interventions have a significant effect on urinary incontinence outcomes during pregnancy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (Registration No: CRD420261342188).