Effect of compliance to Kegel exercises on the improvement of stress incontinence

ABSTRACT

Stress incontinence is the most prevalent form of female urinary incontinence; it affects approximately 5% of younger women to nearly 50% of elderly women. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of compliance to Kegel exercises on the improvement of women experiencing stress urinary incontinence and examining the factors affecting their compliance. Subject and Methods of this study was carried out as a quasi-experimental clinical trial. It comprised 60 stress urinary incontinent women attending to the outpatient clinics of urology and gynecology in El Minia University Hospital El Minia General Hospital and Suzan Muharak University Hospital They were assigned to a pelvic floor muscle training program for 3 months. Treatment outcomes "were assessed by subjective evaluation, and palpation and provocation tests. The results revealed that most patients were cured or improved [95.0%] after practicing Kegel exercises. The majority had good or powerful contraction on palpation test [50.0% and 45.0%]. In the provocation test, 40.0% and 50.0% had no or slight leakage, respectively. Age, BMI, level of education, gravidity, parity, number and amount of episodes, and compliance were factors that affected women improvement, while compliance was affected by job status, parity, and residence. Kegel exercises were effective in the treatment of stress incontinence, and the success of Kegel exercises depends on proper technique and compliance with a regular exercise program. The study recommended the development of training programs for nurse midwives and for those working in gynecologic clinics for early selection of women with SUI and caring for them