Cited by 154Pelvic floor disorders treatmentsSexual function and dysfunction studiesUterine Myomas and Treatments

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The efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training for pelvic organ prolapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Li, Chunbo, Gong, Yuping, Wang, Bei·2016·International Urogynecology Journal

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as a treatment for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or as an adjunct to prolapse surgery.Methods Relevant literature sources were searched using databases including PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, EBSCO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, and CBM until 5 July 2015. Eligible studies were restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCT). The available data were pooled using Review Manager version 5.2. For data deemed not appropriate for synthesis, a narrative overview was conducted.Results In total, 13 studies with 2,340 patients were included. Our results indicated women receiving PFMT gained a greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptom score [mean difference (MD) -3.07, 95 % confidence interval (CI) -3.91 to -2.23] and POP stages [risk ratio (RR) 1.70, 95 % CI 1.19-2.44]. The number of women who said their prolapse was getting better was higher (RR 5.48, 95 % CI 2.19-13.72) and other discomfort syndromes, such as vaginal, bladder, and rectum, were lower in the PFMT groups than in controls. Meanwhile, women after PFMT had greater improvement in muscle strength and endurance but did not show a significant difference for further treatment needs. In addition, the results evaluating PFMT as an adjunct to prolapse surgery were inconclusive because of the variability in methods of measuring outcome.Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrated women who received PFMT showed a greater subjective improvement in prolapse symptoms and an objective improvement in POP severity.

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Authors: Li, C., Gong, Y., & Wang, B.
Affiliations: Tongji University (CN)
Fudan University (CN)
Corresponding author: Li, Chunbo
ORCID: Li, Chunbo
Wang, Bei
Venue: International Urogynecology Journal
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2015-09-25
Volume: 27
Issue: 7
Pages: 981-992
ISSN: 0937-3462 (ISSN-L)
1433-3023
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-015-2846-y
OpenAlex: W2159687866
Cited by: 154
References: 39
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 1.03
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: International Urogynecology Journal (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Fudan University
Linköpings Universitet
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Pelvic floor disorders treatments
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Uterine Myomas and Treatments
Keywords: pelvic floor muscle training, pelvic organ prolapse, prolapse surgery, prolapse severity, muscle strength and endurance, women's health, conservative treatment
MeSH terms: Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Pelvic Organ Prolapse

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The efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training for pelvic organ prolapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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