THERAPEUTICS
Review: some evidence shows that pelvic floor muscle training reduces urinary incontinence in pregnant and postpartum women at 
12 months
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
J Hay-Smith
Dr J Hay-Smith, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand; jean.hay-smith@otago.ac.nz
QUESTION
In pregnant or postnatal women, is pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) effective for preventing and/or treating urinary (UI) and faecal incontinence (FI)?
REVIEW SCOPE
Included studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that evaluated PFMT for reducing UI and/or FI in pregnant or postnatal women. See data supplement for further details about PFMT. The primary outcome was self-reported UI or FI.
REVIEW METHODS
Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Register (Apr 2008) and reference lists were searched for RCTs. 16 RCTs were included. Study method quality was assessed: risk of bias was low in 4 RCTs, low to moderate in 2, and moderate in 10.
MAIN RESULTS
Prevention. In nulliparous or primiparous women without UI symptoms at baseline, PFMT reduced UI in late pregnancy (34 wks gestation up to delivery), the early postpartum period (
12 wks), and mid-postpartum (3–6 mo) (table). 1
Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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