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A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Pelvic Floor Muscle Training To A Pilates Exercise Program For Improving Pelvic Muscle Strength, Patrick Culligan, Janet Scherer, Keisha Dyer, Jennifer Priestley, Geri Guingon-White, Donna Delvecchio, Margi Vangeli

Jennifer L. Priestley

Introduction and hypothesis The purpose of this study is to determine whether a Pilates exercise program and a pelvic floor muscle-training (PFMT) program could provide similar improvements in pelvic muscle strength. Methods Sixty-two women with little or no pelvic floor dysfunction were randomized to Pilates or PFMT. Each group had 24 biweekly 1-h sessions with either a physical therapist or Pilates instructor. Strength was measured via perineometry (cmH2O). Two questionnaires-pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7)-were also collected. Results At baseline, the Pilates and PFMT groups measured 14.9±12.5 and 12.5±10.4 cmH2O, respectively (p=0.41). Both the Pilates …