Effectiveness of DNS on Incontinence Severity, Pelvic Floor Strength and QoL in Urinary Incontinence

The Effectiveness of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization on Incontinence Severity, Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Women With Urinary Incontinence

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Training on incontinence severity, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life in women with Urinary Incontinence, compared to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT). The hypothesis of the study is that DNS Training will be at least as effective as PFMT in terms of its impact on incontinence severity, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life in women with Urinary Incontinence. A total of 56 women diagnosed with urinary incontinence will be included in the study. Participants will be divided into two groups: DNS and PFMT, and will engage in the designated exercise program 5 days a week for a total of 12 weeks. All participants will undergo an initial assessment before starting treatment, and a final assessment will be conducted by the same physiotherapist after the treatment.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined by the International Continence Society as involuntary leakage of urine and is a symptom that can objectively be demonstrated, leading to social and hygienic problems. UI negatively affects daily life activities, perception of health status, and mental and social well-being, thereby reducing individuals; health-related quality of life. UI is commonly observed in women, with a reported prevalence ranging from 25% to 45%. There are three main types of urinary incontinence: stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, and mixed urinary incontinence. The most commonly seen type, stress urinary incontinence, is defined as involuntary urine leakage due to a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during activities such as coughing, sneezing, exertion, or physical activity without detrusor contraction. It generally occurs after childbirth or during pregnancy. Risk factors for stress urinary incontinence in women include a higher number of births, age, smoking, lung disease, and obesity. One of the significant causes of UI is the weakness of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM).

It is known that the PFM helps stabilize the bladder neck and contributes to continence control by increasing intraurethral pressure. The PFM also aids in stabilizing the lumbopelvic region (core). Studies show that the transverse abdominis (TrA), one of the most essential muscles providing core stabilization, works synergistically with the PFM. This co-activation has been reported to enhance pelvic stability and support urinary control, modulating IAP and load transfer. In this context, in addition to PFM training, stabilization exercises have begun to be included in treatment programs for patients with UI as a first-line treatment.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is a neuromuscular and functional stabilization approach based on developmental kinesiology models, utilizing the normal motor development process to assess and treat motor disorders. The primary aim is to restore the physiological movement patterns defined by developmental kinesiology. DNS provides stabilization of the spine and surrounding muscles during static and dynamic movements. Deep spinal flexors and extensors, multifidus, diaphragm, pelvic floor muscles, and abdominal muscles are part of this system. The co-contractions of these muscles increase IAP, thereby aiding. This also helps with stabilization. DNS is based on the principle that the core muscle system works synergistically with various components. When part of this system is weak or dysfunctional, it can also affect the functioning of other core muscles. DNS exercises focus on comprehensive activation and strengthening of the entire core muscle system rather than targeting individual muscles one by one. In this context, DNS training includes the development of pelvic floor muscles along with the improvement of core (lumbopelvic) stabilization.

It is known that the strength of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) decreases in women with UI, and strengthening these muscles plays a crucial role in controlling incontinence. However, there are also studies reporting low stabilization in women with UI. Considering that stress urinary incontinence occurs due to a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure during physical activity, regulating IAP and improving stabilization could be more effective in controlling UI. The DNS method, which targets lumbopelvic stabilization along with PFM training and focuses on intra-abdominal pressure regulation, has been shown to have positive effects on various neuromuscular disorders and postural dysfunctions. There is only one pilot study in the literature investigating the effects of DNS training on women with UI. This study reported that DNS improved PFM strength more than Kegel exercises. Given this information, it is hypothesized that DNS training may more effectively reduce the severity of urinary incontinence in women compared to PFM training. Therefore, this research aims to compare the effects of DNS training on urinary incontinence severity in women with urinary incontinence to PFM training.

METHOD

The research will include young adult women who have been diagnosed with urinary incontinence and volunteered to participate. Participants will be divided into two parallel groups (1:1): the dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) group and the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) group. Our study will be conducted per the Helsinki Declaration, and all participants will be informed about the research and provide written consent.

Indıviduals will be randomly divided into the dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) groups. The treatment program will be implemented by the same experienced physiotherapist, who holds a training certificate in both DNS and PFMT. Participants will be taught how to perform the exercises correctly and receive an exercise sheet containing exercises to perform at home as a guide.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Training Participants in this group will undergo Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization exercises. The exercises will be performed with the physiotherapist twice a week, while participants will practice at home three days a week, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. This program will continue for 12 weeks, totaling five days of exercise per week. The DNS therapist will manually and verbally instruct the participants on how to perform exercises in various developmental positions.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Pelvic floor exercises will be taught to patients through vaginal palpation. The exercises will be performed with the physiotherapist twice a week, while participants will practice at home three days a week. To increase adherence to the home exercises and encourage proper execution, a PTKE schedule and a document demonstrating and explaining the pelvic floor exercises will be provided. Exercise schedules will be checked weekly.

Patients will be instructed to perform pelvic floor exercises in sets for approximately 30 minutes daily over a period of 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of severity stress urinary incontinence based on symptoms
• Being literate
• Aged between 18 and 65
• Not having received any conservative treatment in the last 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of prolapse
• Diagnosis of overactive bladder
• Ongoing urinary tract infection
• Use of medication for urinary incontinence
• Pregnancy
• Lack of cooperation for assessment and/or treatment
• Having undergone uro-surgical procedures within the last two years
• Patients with serious systemic diseases that would prevent them from exercising (such as cardiovascular disease, COPD, stroke, and/or cancer, etc.)