Individualized exercise program for urinary incontinence performed in the home space

Abstract

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of an individualized exercise program for urinary incontinence performed in the home space under supervision and systematic evaluation of the physiotherapist. METHODS: The study population consisted of postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 years, living in the urban area of the municipality of Catuípe, Rio Grande do Sul. The criteria of inclusion considered for selection of the sample were urofuncional urinary incontinence and adherence to the intervention protocol, consisting of training of the pelvic floor muscles and hipopressiva gym run for 12 weeks, with systematic monitoring and supervision by the physiotherapist. The evaluation was performed pre-and post-intervention and was constituted by history and functional evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles. RESULTS: The sample consisted of five women. The protocol used has favored the increase of muscle strength, time of sustained muscle contraction, increased contraction speed and number of repetitions of the pelvic floor muscles. The data show an 80% reduction in complaints of loss of urine on exertion, 40% reduction in the sensation of the urge to urinate in situations of stress, cold, noise tap and hands in water, and 100% continence in women in instability. CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that individualized home exercise program performed in home space and under the supervision of a physiotherapist systematic review was effective in the treatment of urinary incontinence.