Comparison of the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises and spinal stabilisation exercises in women with stress urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and spinal stabilisation exercise (SSE) on urinary symptoms, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, quality of life, spinal stability, balance, spinal posture and subjective perception of improvement (SPI) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Patients were randomly divided into PTR group (n=25) and SSE group (n=25). The groups received an exercise programme 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Urinary incontinence severity was evaluated by International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQSF) and 1-hour pad test, PIT function was evaluated by EMG-Biofeedback device and Modified Oxford Scale (MOS), quality of life was evaluated by King Health Questionnaire (KHQ), spinal stability was evaluated by Sahrmann test, balance was evaluated by Biodex Balance System, and spinal posture was evaluated by Spinal Mouse device before (BT) and after treatment (AT). SPI was questioned in AT. In both groups; pad test, ICIQ-SF, KSQ, eyes open (EO) static balance scores decreased; MOS, EMG, Sahrmann test scores increased (p<0.05). In addition, all parameters of balance and sacral angle were found to decrease in the SSE group (p<0.05). It was found that KSQphysical and KSQ-emotional scores decreased more in the PFMT group than in the SSE group, and Sahrmann test score increased more and sacral angle decreased more in the SSE group than in the PFMT group (p<0.05). The SPI's of the groups were similar (p>0.05). Both PFMT and SSE were found to be effective in reducing symptom severity, increasing PFM strength and quality of life in women with SSE. However, SSE was more effective in improving spinal stability and balance and decreasing the sacral angle than PFMT. SSE may be an alternative approach to PFMT in the treatment of SUI. May 2023, 135 Pages. Keywords: Stress ürinary incontinence, spinal stabilization, pelvic floor muscle training, spine posture, quality of life