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Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Effective for Men With Poststroke Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms? A Single-Blinded Randomized, Controlled Trial

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American Journal of Men's Health

Published online on

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training in men with poststroke lower urinary tract symptoms. Thirty-one poststroke men, median age 68 years, were included in this single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Thirty participants, 15 in each group, completed the study. The intervention consisted of 3 months (12 weekly sessions) of pelvic floor muscle training in groups and home exercises. The effect was evaluated by the DAN-PSS-1 (Danish Prostate Symptom Score) questionnaire, a voiding diary, and digital anal palpation of the pelvic floor muscle. The DAN-PSS-1, symptom score indicated a statistical significant improvement (p < .01) in the treatment group from pretest to posttest, but not in the control group. The DAN-PSS-1, total score improved statistically significantly in both groups from pretest to posttest (treatment group: p < .01; control group: p = .03). The median voiding frequency per 24 hours decreased from 11 at pretest to 7 (36%; p = .04) at posttest and to 8 (27%; p = .02) at follow-up in treatment group, although not statistical significantly more than the control group. The treatment group but not the control group improved statistically significantly in pelvic floor muscle function (p < .01) and strength (p < .01) from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up (p = .03; p < .01). Compared with the control group the pretest to posttest was significantly better in the treatment group (p = .03). The results indicate that pelvic floor muscle training has an effect for lower urinary tract symptoms, although statistical significance was only seen for pelvic floor muscle.