Volume 27, Issue 4 (In press 2026)
Arch Rehabil 2026, 27(4): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.USWR.REC.1403.113
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Ardekani Z, Kazemi Fard M, Rahmani N. Comparative Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Alone or Combined with Biofeedback or Radiofrequency on Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Function in Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Rehabil 2026; 27 (4)
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3690-en.html
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3690-en.html
1- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,Nahrah2005@yahoo.com
2- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (14 Views)
Objectives: One of the important causes of decreased quality of life in older women is urinary incontinence, which is directly related to decreased sexual activity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training exercises along with radiofrequency or biofeedback compared to pelvic floor muscle training exercises alone on urinary incontinence and sexual function in women with urinary incontinence.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a controlled randomized clinical trial involving 45 women aged 35 to 55 years with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, who were randomly (block randomization) assigned to three treatment groups: pelvic floor muscle exercises, exercises combined with biofeedback, and exercises combined with radiofrequency therapy, over a 5-week treatment period. All three groups received three exercise therapy sessions per week. The biofeedback group received biofeedback in all sessions in addition to exercise therapy, while the radiofrequency group received radiofrequency once per week in addition to the exercises. The one-hour pad test, pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance, the ICIQ-VS, ICIQ-SF, and SFSI questionnaires, as well as treatment satisfaction, were assessed at three time points : before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
Results: The results of the within-group analyses demonstrated that all three treatment groups—pelvic floor muscle training alone, combined with biofeedback, or combined with radiofrequency—showed statistically significant improvements in all studied parameters (P<0.01). Between-group comparisons revealed that pelvic floor muscle training combined with biofeedback resulted in significantly greater improvements in pelvic floor muscle strength (P<0.001, η²=0.81), endurance (P<0.001, η²=0.78), and urinary incontinence symptoms (P<0.001, η²=0.91), while pelvic floor muscle training combined with radiofrequency led to significantly greater improvements in sexual function (P<0.001, η²=0.73) compared to the other groups, all with large effect sizes.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that pelvic floor muscle training combined with biofeedback may lead to greater improvements in urinary incontinence symptoms and pelvic floor muscle function, whereas the combination of these exercises with radiofrequency may have a more pronounced effect on improving sexual function. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm these findings.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a controlled randomized clinical trial involving 45 women aged 35 to 55 years with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, who were randomly (block randomization) assigned to three treatment groups: pelvic floor muscle exercises, exercises combined with biofeedback, and exercises combined with radiofrequency therapy, over a 5-week treatment period. All three groups received three exercise therapy sessions per week. The biofeedback group received biofeedback in all sessions in addition to exercise therapy, while the radiofrequency group received radiofrequency once per week in addition to the exercises. The one-hour pad test, pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance, the ICIQ-VS, ICIQ-SF, and SFSI questionnaires, as well as treatment satisfaction, were assessed at three time points : before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
Results: The results of the within-group analyses demonstrated that all three treatment groups—pelvic floor muscle training alone, combined with biofeedback, or combined with radiofrequency—showed statistically significant improvements in all studied parameters (P<0.01). Between-group comparisons revealed that pelvic floor muscle training combined with biofeedback resulted in significantly greater improvements in pelvic floor muscle strength (P<0.001, η²=0.81), endurance (P<0.001, η²=0.78), and urinary incontinence symptoms (P<0.001, η²=0.91), while pelvic floor muscle training combined with radiofrequency led to significantly greater improvements in sexual function (P<0.001, η²=0.73) compared to the other groups, all with large effect sizes.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that pelvic floor muscle training combined with biofeedback may lead to greater improvements in urinary incontinence symptoms and pelvic floor muscle function, whereas the combination of these exercises with radiofrequency may have a more pronounced effect on improving sexual function. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm these findings.
Keywords: Urinary Incontinence, Exercise Therapy, Biofeedback, Psychology, Radiofrequency Therapy, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Physical Therapy
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This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (CC-By-NC 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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