Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) are involved in respiratory mechanisms. Additionally, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can affect physical function. This randomized controlled trial was aimed at investigating the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on SUI severity, PFM function, and physical function in Tunisian women with SUI.
Twenty-seven incontinent women were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The following parameters were assessed: respiratory muscle strength (RMS; maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures), SUI severity (Urogenital Distress Inventory-6; Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7; pad test), PFM function (Modified Oxford Scale, electromyography, and endurance), and physical function (Timed Up & Go test; 6-min walk test; incremental shuttle walking test). IMT was conducted using threshold IMT.
The IMT program significantly reduced the severity of SUI (p < 0.01), improved PFM function (p < 0.001), enhanced physical function (p < 0.01), and increased RMS (p < 0.001).
Inspiratory muscle training could be an effective method for improving pelvic floor disorders and physical function in women with SUI.
International urogynecology journal. 2024 Sep 14 [Epub ahead of print]
Sirine Abidi, Amine Ghram, Said Ahmaidi, Helmi Ben Saad, Mehdi Chlif
Research Laboratory Education, Motricity, Sport and Health LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia. ., Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar., APERE, Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Picardie Jules Verne University, Sport Sciences Department, Avenue Paul Claudel, 80025, Amiens Cedex, France., Research Laboratory LR12SP09 «Heart Failure», University of Sousse, Farhat HACHED Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.