Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 1999;1(1):107-118.

복압성 요실금 여성에게 시행한 두 가지 방법의 골반저근육훈련의 효과

최영희, 성명숙, 백성희

Abstract

Purposes : We aimed to compare the treatment efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercises and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback method, which are being widely used as a conservative treatment method for urinary incontinence in women. We also aimed to determine the effects of those treatments on the patients' quality of life. Materials and methods : We randomly selected 90 female incontinence patients who visited our department and evenly divided them into three groups: control group, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise group, FES-biofeedback group. They were treated for 6 weeks. The objective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson( Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire). Subjective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured by perineometer.
Results
Pre and post treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile pressure (PMC pressure) among the three groups (control, PFM exercise, FES-biofeedback) showed statistically significant differences(p=0.000). Especially, The FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure compared with other groups(p<0.001). When measured by the questionnaire, pre and post treatment changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort due to incontinence showed significant differences among the three groups, and FES-biofeedback group showed a significant decrease (p< 0.001). The level of discomfort in daily life, social activity, physical activity, personal relations and discomfort due to urinary symptoms was greatly changed. FES-biofeedback group, in particular, showed a significant decrease in discomfort after treatment.
Conclusion
When PFM exercise and FES-biofeedback were compared in terms of their effects on the patients' quality of life, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than the verbal explanation of the PFM exercises or simple PFM exercises

Key words: 복압성 요실금, 골반저근육훈련