Effect of Pilates combined with pelvic floor muscle training on continence of post-prostatectomy incontinence in patients with different body mass index

Background Urinary incontinence symptoms severely affect older people with different body mass index (BMI).To compare the efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in patients with post-prostatectomy incontinence with different BMI. Methods Thirty-seven patients with post-prostatectomy incontinence were included. They were divided into group A (BMI <= 25,12), group B (26 <= BMI <= 30,14), and group C (BMI >= 31,11) based on difference BMI. Three groups of patients underwent the same Pilates combined with kegel training. Participants were assessed with 1-hour pad test, the number of incontinence episodes, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire and Oxford Grading Scale. Results In the 1-hour pad test, the differences before and after training were statistically significant in all three groups of participants. Group A decreased from 81.83 +/- 8.79 to 31.08 +/- 5.64 g (P < 0.01). Group B decreased from 80.57 +/- 8.87 to 35.85 +/- 5.66 g (P < 0.01). Group C decreased from 83.55 +/- 10.24 to 40.18 +/- 7.01 g (P < 0.01). The number of incontinent episodes in group A decreased from 9.33 +/- 1.07 to 3.25 +/- 0.62 (P < 0.01). Group B decreased from 8.86 +/- 1.09 to 3.79 +/- 0.80 (P < 0.01). Group C decreased from 9.27 +/- 1.10 to 4.09 +/- 0.70 (P < 0.01). The correlation between the three groups of participants and the 1-hour pad test, with an R-2 of 0.51. The correlation between the three groups of participants and the number of urinary incontinence episodes with a R-2 of 0.43. Conclusions Pelvic floor muscle training can affect the recovery of urinary continence in patients with different BMI. Maintaining a lower BMI can be beneficial for improving urinary control. Trial registration Date of trial registration: November 27, 2023.