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- Issue 26
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Radical…
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Radical Prostatectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Impacts on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Urinary Incontinence.
Key Points
- Urinary incontinence is very common after radical prostatectomy.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and survival rates following radical prostatectomy are high. While the high survival rates are quite remarkable, very often men suffer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction as a result of the surgery. Urinary incontinence is associated with a decreased quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pre-operative training would improve pelvic floor muscle function and reduce post-prostatectomy incontinence when compared to a control group.
Performing pelvic floor muscle exercises in a variety of positions, with varying hold times, may improve urinary incontinence more than a program that is more one dimensional.
METHODS
Exclusion criteria included pre-existing urinary incontinence, prior prostate surgery, or history of receiving radiation or androgen deprivation therapy. All eligible participants (n=97) were given education regarding bladder training, caffeine and alcohol consumption, and behavioural changes relevant to minimizing incontinence issues.