Pelvic floor muscles training in urinary disorders in men with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy

Abstract

The pelvic floor disorders are a major problem in our current society with manifestations of micturition disorders, defecatory problems and sexual dysfunction. The pelvic floor muscles training arouses interest due the few studies on this subject. Studies are being conducted with emphasis on the post-prostatectomy urinary disorders, however, not associated with radiotherapy. The study of the effect of radiotherapy in these muscles is still uncertain. At right, we do not know if the effect of radiation can trigger important anatomical changes that could lead to pelvic floor disorders manifesting clinically as defecatory and urinary disorders. These issues motivate us to research, focusing on the evaluation of these muscles through magnetic nuclear resonance considering that radiation therapy has been increasingly used as a therapeutic option in the treatment of prostate cancer. The primary objective of this is to verify the effect of pelvic floor muscles training through magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Secondary objectives are limited in to evaluate the quality of life index of the sample measured using WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and investigate the effect of irradiation of the prostate on the strength and myoelectric activity of the pelvic floor muscles evaluated by perineometry and electromyography respectively. The assessment of the changes occurred by the effect of radiation separately and jointly to the training of the pelvic floor muscles can help us to better understand some of the dysfunctions presented in this sample of patients as well as understanding the effect and the possible contribution of training of these muscles for treatment and / or prevention of these disorders. (AU)