@article{article_1523341, title={Does Perinatal Period Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises Affect Urinary Incontinence? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials}, journal={İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi}, pages={1308–1320}, year={2024}, DOI={10.38079/igusabder.1523341}, author={Yıldız Karaahmet, Aysu and Bilgiç, Fatma Şule and Ekmez, Murat}, keywords={Pregnancy, postpartum, urinary incontinence, quality of life, pelvic floor exercise}, abstract={Aim: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) consists of urinary incontinence (UI), anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapses, and sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to conduct a systematic compilation and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies examining urinary incontinence symptom severity and quality of life of pelvic floor muscle exercises performed on women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. Method: Databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were scanned using MeSH-based keywords. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included. The data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (Version 5.3). Results: Pooled standardized differences in incontinence mean (SMD) between pre-intervention groups were -0.09 (95% CI: [-0.018, -0.00], p=0.04). Initially, the exercise group had lower average scores in UDI-6 (mean difference (MD) =-3.32 [-4.61-2.03], p<0.00001). MD was higher after exercise (MD = -2.85 [-3.10 -2.61], p<0.00001). There was little evidence of a difference in quality of life between the intervention and control groups as measured by ICIQ-SF. Initially, the exercise group had lower average scores on ICIQ-SF (MD = -0.07 [-0.21-0.08], p=0.37). MD was higher after exercise (MD = -0.06 [-0.16-0.04], p=0.45, but there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Evidence has shown an effect of pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence and quality of life in the postpartum period in primiparous women. However, high-quality randomized controlled studies are needed.}, number={24}, publisher={İstanbul Gelisim University}