A Study to Evaluate The Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Strengthening Exercises on Urinary Incontinence and Quality of life among women residing in selected area at Dharapuram

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong, when you don’t get a toilet in time. The risk factors that increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence include gender, age, being overweight, smoking, family history, some disease like neurological disease or diabetes. This Study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor strengthening exercises on urinary incontinence and quality of life among women residing in Tirupur road and Jinna Maithanam at Dharapuram. The conceptual framework of the study was based on the modified King’s goal attainment theory (1981) the research design used for the present study was quasi- experimental non- equivalent control group pre- test post- test only design. Sample size was 60, out of which 30 were in experimental group and 30 were in control group. The sample were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique and the level of urinary incontinence was assessed by adopted self- reported urinary incontinence questionnaire and quality of life was assessed by king’s health questionnaire by structured interview schedule. The pelvic floor strengthening exercises was given twice a day for 15 minutes during morning and evening. The collected data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean post-test level of urinary incontinence 34.2(SD±7.7) was lower than the pre-test mean score 77.4 (SD± 8.4) in experimental group. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value was 28.6 which was significant at p<0.05 level. The post-test mean score of quality of life 312.3(SD±161.7) was higher than the pre-test mean score 743.2 (SD± 53.17). The calculated paired ‘t’ value was 12.07 which was significant at p<0.05 level. The mean post-test level of urinary incontinence in experimental group 34.2(SD±7.7) was significantly lower than the mean post-test level of urinary incontinence in control group 86.2(SD±4.7) and mean difference was 52. The calculated independent ‘t’ value was 40 which was significant at p<0.05 level. The mean post-test level of quality of life in experimental group 312.3(SD±161.7) was significantly lower than the mean post-test level of control group 696.5(SD±57.6) and the mean difference was 384.2. The calculated independent ‘t’ value was 3.7 which was significant at p<0.05 level. The findings revealed that the pelvic floor strengthening exercises can be helpful in reducing the level of urinary incontinence and improve the quality of life among women.