The Effect of ENNA Pelvic Ball Use on Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women Aged Over 45 Years Who Had Been Postmenopausal for at Least Two Years: An ICIQ-SF–Based Clinical Evaluation
Abstract
Aim: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that substantially impairs quality of life in postmenopausal women. Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended as the first-line conservative treatment, long-term adherence may limit its effectiveness in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ENNA Pelvic Ball use on patient-reported SUI symptoms in women aged over 45 years who had been postmenopausal for at least two years using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Methods: Sixty women diagnosed with SUI were included in this clinical evaluation. Forty participants were instructed to perform home-based PFMT (Kegel exercises), whereas twenty participants used the ENNA Pelvic Ball in addition to routine PFMT recommendations. ICIQ-SF scores were recorded before treatment and after a 3-month follow-up period. Results: Baseline ICIQ-SF scores were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean ICIQ-SF score decreased from 14.3 ± 2.8 to 13.5 ± 3.1 in the PFMT group and from 14.6 ± 3.0 to 8.1 ± 2.9 in the ENNA Pelvic Ball group. Improvement in the ENNA Pelvic Ball group was significantly greater than that observed in the PFMT group (p < 0.01). The mean score reduction in the ENNA Pelvic Ball group exceeded the reported minimal clinically important difference for the ICIQ-SF. Conclusion: ENNA Pelvic Ball use was associated with greater short-term improvement in patient-reported SUI symptoms than home-based PFMT alone. These findings suggest that ENNA Pelvic Ball may represent a practical, non-invasive adjunctive conservative treatment option for selected postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence. Further studies with larger patient populations and longer follow-up are warranted.
Keywords
Stress Urinary Incontinence, Menopause, Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, ICIQ-SF, ENNA Pelvic Ball, Patient-Reported Outcomes
Ethical Statement
References
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