Age as a variable in an exercise program for the treatment of simple urinary stress incontinence.

This study compared the effectiveness of biofeedback on pubococcygeal muscle strengthening and simple urinary stress incontinence in older and younger women. Women aged 55 years and older and women younger than 55 years of age were taught Kegel exercises, using biofeedback, for the treatment of simple urinary stress incontinence. Eighty percent of the younger group and 67% of the older group eliminated stress incontinence. Also, the younger women required less pubococcygeal strength than the older women to control incontinence.