Wpływ fizjoterapii na jakość życia powiązaną ze zdrowiem u mężczyzn z nietrzymaniem moczu po zabiegu prostatektomii radykalnej

Introduction. Urinary incontinence among men often occurs as a side effect of prostate cancer treatment – a radical prostatectomy (RP) – an operation to remove the prostate. The aim of such oncological operations is to cure the patient from the cancer and improve the quality of life after the operation. In the non-invasive treatment of urinary incontinence physiotherapeutic methods are applied, especially pelvic floor muscle training. Aim. To investigate whether physiotherapy applied in the treatment of patients suffering from urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy affects the qualities of the physical and psychological aspects of their lives. Material and methods. The study included 60 male patients aged 51–75. All the patients were after radical prostatectomy. The patients took part in 10-week pelvic floor muscle training. The quality of life related to the patients' health was measured before and after the therapy by the SF-36 questionnaire. Results. Significant improvement in urinary continence was recorded. The comparison of the quality of life demonstrated considerable statistical improvement after the physiotherapeutic treatment (p < 0.05) in both the physical and psychological aspects of life among the patients starting treatment up to 6 weeks after the operation. There was no improvement recorded in the group starting treatment after a period longer than 6 weeks from the operation. Conclusions. Pelvic floor muscle training applied in the treatment of male patients after RP improves the quality of life of the patients, especially their mental health. It is advantageous to begin the treatment in the early stages after the operation.