Last modified: 2021-09-11
Abstract
Background: Aging is characterized by changes in organ functions. One of the common health problems experienced by middle-aged and older women due to the aging process is urinary incontinence. Yoga intervention has been widely known as a non-pharmacological intervention for various health conditions. However, its effectiveness on urinary incontinence remains underexplored.
Objective: To review the effect of yoga interventions on urinary incontinence among middle-aged and older women.
Methods: A literature search was conducted through Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, and ProQuest databases from 2012-2021 using the following keywords: yoga, middle-aged women, older women, geriatric, urinary incontinence. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methods was used to select the articles. Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tools was used for quality assessment.
Results: A total of 4 articles were reviewed. Yoga intervention can be given alone or in combination with with Pelvis Muscle Exercise (PME). The intervention was proven to be effective in to reduce urinary incontinence symptomps among middle-aged and older women, regardless its type and duration. Two studies were judged to be at high risk of bias.
Conclusion: Yoga helps improve incontinence symptoms among middle-aged and older women. Further research using rigorous methods is recommended for more conclusive evidence regarding efficacy of yoga intervention.
Keywords: Middle-aged women; Older women; Urinary incontinence; Yoga.