The aim of this study is, besides the elaborate documentation of the Pelvic-Floor-
Reeducation-Concept, to illustrate and discuss the short and long term efficacy of the
conservative incontinence therapy that has been applied at the University Clinic
Grosshadern for the last seven years. In addition, predictable factors will be discussed,
which serve as a foundation to better judge the therapeutic outcome.
In the objectives of research section, the short and long term effectiveness of an
intensive EMG-Biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of
female stress or mixed urinary incontinence is examined. The other purpose is the
comparison of two different groups of patients (successfully completed treatment versus
not completed therapy). Another question that was examined is, can factors for a
successful therapy be predicted?
Materials and Methods: The patients examined for this study, were all of the women that
were treated for stress-urinary incontinence or mixed urinary incontinence between
September 1996 and March 2003 in our clinic in the urogynecology department within the
Pelvic-Floor-Reeducation-Program (PFR).
For methodical reasons, the patients were divided in to three separate groups. Group 1
consisted of the patients that completed the program successfully. Group 2 consisted of
the patients that had started the program, but had not completed it. Group 3 consisted of
patients that did not participate in the program, but instead just had a counseling interview.
The diagnostics involved: an urodynamic measurement, the stress provocation test (cough
test), the determination of maximum pelvic floor muscle strength, with the help of
palpatoric diagnostic (Oxford-Score, Scale 0–5), and an EMG (Maximum contraction;
PERFECT-Measurement).
According to the PFR concept, the patients received an extensive incontinence counseling
session, instructions for individual pelvic floor exercises, and copingstrategies for dealing
with incontinence in every day situations. The biofeedback therapy was done with the use
of PC-controlled electromyography (ST2001, Haynl Elektronik). The follow-up consisted of
92
a standardized questionnaire.
In the analysis of potential predictable factors, the following parameters were used: Age >
65, BMI ≥ 30, Parity, duration of incontinence > 5 years, SIK III,, Hypotony Urethra (≤ 25
cm H²O), weak pelvis floor contraction (Oxford < 2) and motivation for the training.
Results: During the period of seven years, a total of 434 women were treated with the
Pelvic-Floor-Reeducation-Program. For this study, a total of 390 of the 434 women, who
suffered from either stress-urinary incontinence (79.7 %) or mixed urinary incontinence
(20.3 %), were evaluated.
Average age: 52, mean incontinence duration: 6.7 years. 60.4 % of the women suffered
from a SIK III. 67.4 % of the women successfully completed the training, while 25.1 % did
not. 82.0 % of the patients improved on the stress test. The average time for follow-up was
2.9 years. The questionnaire return was 80.0 % (N = 312). 71.0 % of the patients reported
that their problems with incontinence had improved after the training, and only 13.5 %
chose to have surgery for the incontinence. Therefore, the long term success rate for the
treatment is 61.2 % (N = 191). In comparison to the patients that did not complete
treatment, there are noticeable differences, including the number of operations, as well as
the quality of life.
In view of the therapeutic outcome, the following factors showed a statistically significant
association, which is associated with a more negative prognosis: Age > 65 (only 50.0 %
improvement) and duration of incontinence > 5 years (54.4 % improvement). Interestingly,
the study showed that women who had given birth, in comparison to woman with nulliparity
and women who initially had weak pelvic floor contraction strength (Oxford < 2), had better
therapeutic results.
Conclusion: An intensive and controlled pelvic floor tr