Pelvic floor muscle training in female stress urinary incontinence: comparison between group training and individual treatment using PERFECT assessment scheme.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that can be done individually or in a group. The aim of this study was to compare these two types of treatment.

METHODS: Sixty women 30 to 75 years old with SUI were randomly assigned to participate in the two groups. They were evaluated before and after the treatment with the Oxford grading system, pad test, voiding diary, and the King's Health Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Both groups experienced significant reductions in urinary leakage as measured by the pad test and bladder diary. A negative pad test was observed in about 50% of patients in both groups. There were statistically significant improvements in both muscle strength and quality of life. When the groups were compared, there were no differences in the results between them.

CONCLUSIONS: Individual treatment and group PFMT appear to be equally effective for improving SUI.