Male Kegel Exercises Help Urinary Incontinence
Topic: Male Health Concerns
Author: Case Western Reserve University
Published: 2015/10/30 - Updated: 2022/07/26 - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Definition - Introduction - Main - Related
Synopsis: Study finds males can benefit from pelvic exercises to prevent urinary leaks after prostate cancer treatment. Urinary incontinence has been shown to cause significant distress in men following prostate cancer treatments. They're afraid to travel or attend other social gatherings because there may not be a restroom nearby. About 30 percent of prostate cancer patients nationally are affected by incontinence a year after surgery, and another 14 percent still feel the effects after five years.
Introduction
Men with urinary leaks from surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer can benefit from Kegel exercises known for treating incontinence in women after giving birth, according to a Case Western Reserve University study.
Main Digest
About 30 percent of prostate cancer patients nationally are affected by incontinence a year after surgery, and another 14 percent still feel the effects after five years, said Amy Y. Zhang, Ph.D. associate professor from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve.
The researchers from the university's School of Nursing, with University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, wanted to know whether exercises could help men who experience urinary incontinence following prostate cancer treatment.
"Urinary incontinence has been shown to cause significant distress in men following prostate cancer treatments," Zhang said. "They're afraid to travel or attend other social gatherings because there may not be a restroom nearby."
The findings, published in a Journal of Urology article Zhang wrote, detailed results from 244 men randomly assigned to one of three approaches to reduce leakage and manage symptoms.
The first two approaches offered the men one session of biofeedback-assisted pelvic exercises and six biweekly sessions - either in a peer support group or by phone - to learn how to self-manage their symptoms.
In the third approach, men received information and a doctor's directions for care or sought information independently. Researchers tracked leakage and symptom distress at the beginning of the study and again at three and six months. By the third month, the first two methods - biofeedback, support group, or telephone contact - showed better results. The number of leakage episodes decreased.
At the last assessment at six months, the men receiving biofeedback and support recorded the greatest reduction in leakage amount. While more study is needed, Zhang speculates that the improvements were most influenced by peer group support.
"This study helps fill a gap in our knowledge about how we can treat these patients," she said.
About the Study:
The National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (R01CA127493) supported the study. Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the MetroHealth System provided patient access.
Related Information
- Women with Urinary Incontinence May Get Relief from Yoga
- How Your Body Knows When You Have to Pee
- Stress Urinary Incontinence Affects 1 in 3 Women
- Yoga of Immortals App for Urinary Incontinence
- Incontinence: Types and General Information
- Urinary Incontinence Impact on Quality of Life
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Case Western Reserve University, and published on 2015/10/30 (Edit Update: 2022/07/26), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Case Western Reserve University can be contacted at case.edu. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
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