Comparison of yoga-based and pilates-based respiratory training effect for women with urinary incontinence

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of yoga-based (YBRT) and pilates-based respiratory training (PBRT) on incontinence severity, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, and quality of life in individuals with urinary incontinence (UI). Forty-six women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were included in the study. Participants were allocated to the YBRT (age 45,50±10,35) and PBRT (age 47,95±11,26) groups using block randomization based on age and diagnosis. Before and after the study, participants were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinnece Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), 24-Hour Pad Test (PT), Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7), Surface EMG, McGill Core Endurance Test Battery (MCETB), and Intra-oral Pressure Measurement (IPM). Both groups completed a home-based respiratory exercise program for six weeks, five days a week, twice daily for 20 minutes per session. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0, with p<0.05 considered significant. Prior to treatment, the groups were similar in terms of ICIQ-SF, I-QOL, IIQ-7, PT, MCEBT, IPM and PFM function (p>0.0.5). After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in the ICIQ-SF, I-QOL, IIQ-7, PT, MCETB, IPM and PFM contraction activity (p<0.05). Significant improvement in PFM resting phase was observed only in the YBRT group (p<0.05). When the difference between the groups after treatment was examined, it was determined that the I-QOL and PFM resting parameters (AVG, MIN, MVC) showed significant difference in favor of the YBRT group (p<0.05). When participants were subdivided into SUI, S-MUI, U-MUI subgroups to evaluate treatment response according to diagnosis, YBRT was found to be more effective than PBRT, in I-QOL in individuals with MUI and in PFM resting acitivty in individuals with U-MUI (p<0.05). Our study showed that both groups had similar effects on incontinence severity, incontinence impact, trunk muscle endurance, respiratory muscle strength and PFM contraction function in individuals with UI. However YBRT was superior to PBRT in terms of quality of life and PFM resting activity. Additionally, it was concluded that individuals diagnosed with U-MUI exhibited increased PFM resting activity, and that YBRT provided more effective improvement in muscle function.