Knowledge of pelvic floor muscles in community-dwelling women aged over 60: its relationship with urinary incontinence

To investigate the awareness of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and PFM exercises (PFME) knowledge, training and experience in community-dwelling women aged 60 and over and its relationship with urinary incontinence (UI). This is a questionnaire based study which was carried out in 9 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centers, including a total of 500 women aged 60 and over and living in the community. The questionnaire included questions about awareness of PFMs, UI complaints and PFME knowledge, training and experience. Knowledge and awareness of PFMs and PFME knowledge, training and experience were compared in subgroups with or without urinary incontinence. The mean age of the women included in the study was 67.8 ± 6.1 (60-88). Knowledge and awareness of PFMs and PFME knowledge, training and experience were low in the study population. Knowledge and awareness of PFMs were significantly low in the subgroup with urinary incontinence (p