Biofeedback support in stress urinary incontinence: the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on muscle activity potential

Aim: The study aims to investigate the effect of biofeedback (BF) assisted pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on muscle activity potential in stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Materials and Methods: The study included 42 women diagnosed with SUI between the ages of 45-65.Individuals were divided into three groups: PFMT with BF, PFMT alone, and control group.All groups were given medical treatment.The treatment was carried out for 6 weeks and 3 days a week.In the PFMT program, 360-degree diaphragmatic breathing training, dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises, and pelvic floor muscle exercises were applied.Electromyography (EMG) evaluation was applied to the participants at the beginning of the program and at the end of the 6th week.Results: No difference was observed between the pre-treatment demographic characteristics and EMG values of the groups.While EMG parameters showed improvement in all groups after treatment.The highest increase in the work average value was in the PFMT + BF group.Peak and maximum voluntary contraction (%) value increases were found to be higher in the training groups compared to the control group, and there was no difference between the training groups.Discussion: It was found that the PFMT + BF combined treatment method was beneficial in terms of its effect on muscle activity potential in SUI patients.