Fangfang Du,1,* Yujing Dong,2,* Tian Tian,1 Weili Li,1 Feifei Wan,1 Suling Shi3 

1Department of Nursing, Henan Vocational College of Tuina, Luoyang City, Henan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Shool of Nursing,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Fangfang Du, Department of Nursing, Henan Vocational College of Tuina, No. 10 Xuefu Street, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 471023, People’s Republic of China, Email dufangfang8119@163.com

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is effectively managed through pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), yet poor adherence often undermines its efficacy. Given square dancing’s popularity among middle-aged women, its integration with PFMT could potentially increase patient compliance. This study aims to investigate the impact of a hybrid program combining square dance and PFMT on SUI symptoms, quality of life, and treatment adherence in this demographic.
Methods: Seventy-seven female participants from Luoyang were randomly allocated to an intervention group undergoing a 12-week program combining square dancing with PFMT, and two control groups receiving standard health advice or square dancing alone. Outcomes were assessed using subjective urinary incontinence rating, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), and a PFMT diary for compliance. Satisfaction was scored on a 10-point scale.
Results: Participants (mean age: 53.35± 5.11 years) did not differ significantly at baseline. Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in SUI symptoms and quality of life compared to both control groups (P < 0.05), with higher compliance (96.54% vs 54.82% in control I) and satisfaction (8.86± 0.85).
Conclusion: Combining PFMT with square dancing significantly improved SUI symptoms, quality of life, and adherence among middle-aged women. Notably, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions during the 12-week intervention period, the communal and enjoyable nature of square dancing likely contributed to enhanced motivation and satisfaction.

Keywords: stress urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle training, compliance, square dance, women, quality of life