Pre-rehabilitation of the pelvic floor before radiation therapy for cervical cancer: a pilot study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective was to evaluate pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function regarding strength, activation and incontinence, approximately 1 month before and after radiation therapy in women with cervical cancer.

Methods: This was a pilot study of 49 women with cervical cancer at stages I to III. These women attended an educational session with a physical therapist who taught them to perform preventive pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs; slow and fast contractions and the "knack") at home before, during and after radiation therapy.