Effects of Pilates With and Without Voluntary Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction Compared to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Pilates, Pilates Combined With Voluntary Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction, and Isolated Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women

This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of three exercise programs for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women: (1) Pilates without voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction, (2) Pilates combined with voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction, and (3) isolated pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT).

Seventy-eight women aged over 18 years with self-reported SUI are randomly allocated into three parallel groups. Interventions last 6 weeks, with two sessions per week (12 sessions).

The primary outcome is the change in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score from baseline to post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include urinary frequency and leakage episodes (72-hour bladder diary), pelvic floor muscle strength (Modified Oxford Scale), endurance, rapid contractions, and vaginal squeeze pressure measured by perineal manometry (Peritron).

The hypothesis is that Pilates combined with voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction will be superior to Pilates alone and comparable or superior to isolated PFMT.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women ≥18 years
• Self-reported stress urinary incontinence
• Positive response to stress-related leakage question

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to read/respond to questionnaires
• Urinary tract infection within last 2 weeks
• Current smoking
• Previous pelvic surgery (except cesarean section)
• Previous pelvic radiotherapy
• Neurological disease
• Pelvic floor muscle strength grade 0-1 (Modified Oxford Scale)
• Pregnancy or <3 months postpartum