The effect of aerobic exercise on bladder function and lower urinary tract symptoms in women who has Diabetes Mellitus with lower urinary tract symptoms

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise (AE) on bladder functions and urinary system symptoms in women diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and suffered from Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). In the study, 44 individuals were divided into two groups: Aerobic Exercise (AE) (n=22) and Control Group (n=22) by simple random method. While behavioral treatment modifications were applied to the control group, submaximal aerobic exercise training was given to the AE group in addition to the behavioral treatment program. AE training was provided three days a week, 45 minutes a day, for 12 weeks. The behavioral treatment protocol was completed with an initial training period of 40 minutes, and subsequent control interviews of 20 minutes at four-week intervals. Patient Information Form for socio-demographic information, Urodynamic values for voiding and bladder functions, USG values for bladder wall thickness, HbA1c level to determine blood glucose level, 48-hour bladder diary for voiding frequency, King Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and Bristol Female Lower Urinary System Symptom Index (BFLUSSI) for urinary system symptom severity and quality of life were used. In the pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations, the groups were found to be similar in terms of socio-demographic and physical characteristics (age, height, weight, BMI) (p>0.05). In post-treatment intra-group comparisons, while there was no change in the difference values of weight (p = 0.110) and BMI (p = 0.079) in the control group, a decrease in the differences in weight and BMI values of the AE group was determined (p< 0.001).As a result of the study, a difference was found in favor of the AE group in the parameters of voiding time, voided volume, sensation, compliance, and maximal bladder capacity from urodynamic measurements; general health, social limitation, emotional state and symptom severity subheadings of KHQ; storage functions, quality of life and total score subheadings of BFLUSSI; urination frequency and HbA1c level (p<0.05). Consequently, we believe that AE training, in addition to the behavioral treatment approach, which is the first-line treatment recommended by the guidelines, should be added to the guidelines used in the treatment of LUTS and the treatment programs applied in clinics in order to improve bladder functions, urinary system symptoms and quality of life in women diagnosed with DM with LUTS. Keywords: Lower urinary tract symptoms, bladder, diabetes, aerobic exercise, quality of life