A randomized controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training for stages I and II pelvic organ prolapse

Citation

Hagen S, Stark D, Glazener C, Sinclair L & Ramsay I (2009) A randomized controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training for stages I and II pelvic organ prolapse. International Urogynecology Journal, 20 (1), pp. 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-008-0726-4

Abstract
Forty-seven women participated in a pilot study for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for women with prolapse. Women with symptomatic stage I or II prolapse [measured by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q)] were randomized to a 16-week physiotherapy intervention (PFMT and lifestyle advice;n = 23) or a control group receiving a lifestyle advice sheet (n = 24). Symptom severity and quality of life were measured via postal questionnaires. Blinded POP-Q was performed at baseline and follow-up. Intervention women had significantly greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptoms (mean score decrease 3.5 versus 0.1,p = 0.021), were significantly more likely to have an improved prolapse stage (45% versus 0%,p = 0.038) and were significantly more likely to say their prolapse was better (63% versus 24%,p = 0.012). The data support the feasibility of a substantive trial of PFMT for prolapse. A multi-centre trial is underway.

Keywords
Pelvic floor muscle training; Pelvic organ prolapse; Physiotherapy; pilot study; POP-Q

Journal
International Urogynecology Journal: Volume 20, Issue 1