Investigating the effects of stabilization exercises and pelvic floor muscle training on pain and urinary parameters in individuals with chronic low back pain and urinary incontinence

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a combination of stabilization exercises and pelvic floor muscle training on pain and urinary parameters in individuals with urinary incontinence and chronic low back pain. A total of 44 participants aged 18-65 years were divided into three groups using randomization: the pelvic floor muscle training group combined with stabilization exercises, the standard pelvic floor muscle training group, and the control group. One group received stabilization exercises combined with pelvic floor muscle training, while another group received standard pelvic floor muscle training. Both groups underwent an 8-week program with one day per week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and two days of home exercise. The control group did not receive any intervention. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) were used to evaluate pain and disability parameters, while the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) were used to evaluate urinary parameters. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-2), European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D), and Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) were used to assess psychological symptoms and quality of life. Results showed that the combination of stabilization exercises and pelvic floor muscle training was significantly more effective in ODI and UDI parameters compared to standard pelvic floor muscle training (p<0.05). Furthermore, all parameters were significantly more effective in pelvic floor muscle training group combined with stabilization exercises than in the control group (p<0.05), and there was a significant improvement in all parameters in the pelvic floor muscle training group combined with stabilization exercises group after treatment compared to before treatment (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combination of stabilization exercises and pelvic floor muscle training could be an effective approach for pain and urinary parameters. It may be considered as an alternative treatment method to standard pelvic floor muscle training, particularly in terms of disability and incontinence symptoms. Further studies and research in this field will help us better understand the effectiveness of stabilization exercises combined with pelvic floor muscle training. Keywords: Urinary Incontinence, Low Back Pain, Stabilization Exercises, Pelvic Floor Muscle Training