Improvement of continence rate with pelvic floor muscle training post-prostatectomy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence of the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted in four databases. Studies were grouped according to the intervention program (muscle training versus control and individual home-based versus physiotherapist-guided muscle training). Results: Eight studies were selected for meta-analysis after satisfying the selection criteria. The data show that pelvic floor muscle training improves continence rate in the short (RR = 2.16; p < 0.001), medium (RR = 1.45; p = 0.001) and long term (RR = 1.23; p = 0.019) after surgery. The number of randomized controlled trials and the heterogeneity in the study population and type of pelvic floor muscle training were the main limitations. Conclusion: Programs including at least three sets of 10 repetitions of muscle training daily appear to improve continence rate after radical prostatectomy. Our meta-analysis shows that muscle training programs for urinary incontinence provide similar results to those of physiotherapist-guided programs, therefore being more cost- effective.