Journal de physiothérapie et de réadaptation physique

The Efficiency of Physiotherapy on the Quality of Life of Women Bearers of Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Rebecca Gonçalves da Silva, Rodrigo Daminello Raimundo, Luiz Carlos de Abreu, Vitor Engrácia Valenti, Laércio da Silva Paiva and Fernanda Antico Benetti

Introduction: The Urinary Incontinence (UI) is a kind of lower urinary tract disfunction that may happen when there are alterations in the physiologic urination process. The use of therapeutic exercises has shown itself very efficient in the treatment of UI, with the objective of improving the efficiency of the urethral sphincter during the intraabdominal pressure raise periods. Objective: Evaluate the efficiency of the perineal exercises and vaginal electrostimulation on the quality of life of women bearers of urinary incontinence. Method: About 10 patients with urinary incontinence (UI) were submitted to a series of perineal exercises and electrostimulation. A UI specific questionnaire “Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument” (I-QOL) was used for the evaluation of the patients. Results: There was an improvement in the general score of the I-QOL whereas without significant improvement values. Conclusion: Therapeutic Exercises associated to electrostimulation may bring improvements to the urinary incontinence patients’ quality of life.