Effect of perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program on incontinence and quality of life after radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program on urinary incontinence symptoms and the quality of life of patients after radical prostatectomy. Methods This single-center, parallel-group, randomized, controlled study was conducted with a total of 60 patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy in a training and research hospital in Turkey. Patients were randomly assigned to the pelvic floor muscle training group ( n = 30) and the control group ( n = 30). The data were collected by face-to-face and phone interviews following surgery at seven days after removal of the urethral catheter (baseline) and 3 months using the Patient Information Form, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Independent-samples t-test, and paired-samples test were used to analyze the data. Primary and secondary endpoints were the differences between groups in terms of both scale scores after 3 months. Findings After 3 months, Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores ( P < 0.001) and “voiding, incontinence, frequency, nocturia” symptoms scores ( P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the pelvic floor muscle training group, and quality of life scores were higher than in the control group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion According to this study, the perioperative pelvic floor muscle training program was effective on patients’ urinary incontinence symptoms and quality of life 3 months after radical prostatectomy. Evidence-based practices should be used for patients to alleviate common urinary symptoms and to accelerate the recovery of urinary continence.