Pelvic floor exercises for children: a method of treating dysfunctional voiding.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical effect of a pelvic floor exercise programme developed for children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixteen girls with non-neurogenic dysfunctional voiding were treated by a physiotherapist, mostly in small groups. The exercises were designed to increase the child's awareness of their pelvic floor musculature and to teach them how to contract and relax these muscles at will. The emphasis on pelvic floor relaxation served to improve the child's voiding pattern.

RESULTS

After 1 year, nine girls were cured and seven improved. Another three girls were cured at the 3-4 year follow-up, giving a total cure rate of 12/16.

CONCLUSION

This non-invasive method seems to be a useful alternative or complement to other treatments of children with dysfunctional voiding.