Older women suffering from urinary incontinence may find significant relief through regular low-impact exercises, including yoga, as indicated by recent findings published on August 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study, orchestrated by experts from Stanford Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco, forms part of an extensive initiative to unearth affordable, low-risk strategies for alleviating a prevalent issue many women encounter with age.
The research highlights the advantages of a 12-week low-impact yoga regimen, which resulted in participants experiencing a 65% reduction in incontinence episodes. A parallel control group engaging in stretching and strengthening exercises reported comparable improvements over the same period. Remarkably, the benefits of these physical activities are akin to those achieved through pharmacological treatments, underscoring their effectiveness.
Leslee Subak, MD, the study’s senior author and chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at Stanford Medicine, emphasised the accessibility and safety of the yoga practised, designed to accommodate various physical abilities. “What I love about it is that it’s safe, inexpensive, doesn’t require a doctor, and is accessible wherever you live,” she noted. The program’s adaptability was particularly beneficial as the trial coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating many participants’ shifts to online instruction and home practice.
Alison Huang, MD, professor of medicine, urology, epidemiology, and biostatistics at UCSF and the study’s lead author, and her team focused on addressing urinary incontinence, which affects a significant proportion of middle-aged and elderly women. Up to 80% of women aged 80 and above are impacted. The condition causes physical discomfort and leads to social isolation and an increased risk of falls and bone fractures.
The stigma surrounding incontinence often prevents open discussions about the condition, contributing to misconceptions about its inevitability with age. Subak, who holds the Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor III chair, highlighted the need for effective treatments, stating, “Incontinence is stigmatised; we don’t talk about it. In fact, it’s very common but it’s not inevitable, and we have very effective ways of treating it.”
The study involved 240 participants, aged 45 to 90, randomly assigned to either the yoga or a physical conditioning control group. Both groups undertook 12-week exercise programs focusing on enhancing pelvic floor strength—the yoga group through specific hatha yoga poses and the control group through general physical exercises. Participants documented their progress and any instances of urine leakage, categorised as either urgency or stress incontinence.
Results showed that both interventions were equally effective, reducing incontinence episodes by approximately 60%. Subak expressed enthusiasm about the positive outcomes, encouraging those affected to engage in low-impact Iyengar yoga or similar exercises available locally or online, with modifications possible for different physical conditions.
The study also compared these nonsurgical treatments with traditional medications, which typically improve symptoms by 30% to 70%. Subak suggested that yoga and exercise are low-risk and offer additional benefits for general well-being, making them compelling options for those seeking natural remedies for incontinence. Her concluding message was clear and supportive: “Be active!” This proactive approach could significantly improve quality of life and reduce the need for more invasive treatments.
More information: Alison J. Huang et al, Efficacy of a Therapeutic Pelvic Yoga Program Versus a Physical Conditioning Program on Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Randomized Trial, Annals of Internal Medicine. DOI: 10.7326/M23-3051
Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine Provided by Stanford Medicine
