Pelvic floor muscle training in spinal cord injury and its impact on neurogenic detrusor over-activity and incontinence.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Two case studies. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether 6 weeks of regular pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can improve the strength and endurance of voluntary contractions in incomplete spinal cord injury and reduce neurogenic detrusor over-activity (NDO) and incontinence. SETTING: The London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Stanmore, London, UK. METHODS: A 6-week programme of PFMT was conducted in two male subjects with stable supra-sacral motor incomplete (AIS C and D) spinal cord injuries. Clinical evaluations before and after training comprised measures of strength and endurance of voluntary pelvic floor contractions both objectively by anal canal-pressure measurements and subjectively using the modified Oxford grading system. NDO was determined by standard urodynamic tests of bladder function and incontinence measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urology. RESULTS: Both subjects improved the strength and endurance of their pelvic floor muscle contractions by over 100% at the end of training. After training, Subject 1 (AIS D) was able to reduce bladder pressure during over-activity almost completely by voluntarily contracting the pelvic floor muscles. Subject 2 (AIS C) achieved a lesser reduction overall after training. Continence improved only in subject 1. CONCLUSION: These case studies provide evidence that a 6-week programme of PFMT may have a beneficial effect on promoting voluntary control of NDO and reduce incontinence in selected cases with a motor incomplete spinal cord lesion.