OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the efficacy of resisted hip rotation (RHR) with that of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as a conservative intervention for the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized clinical trial. BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscle training is well supported in the literature as an effective first-line intervention for women with SUI. A program incorporating RHR is currently promoted in continuing education courses as another effective intervention for this population. RHR has been observed in clinical use despite a lack of supporting literature. METHODS AND MEASURES: Subjects were community-dwelling female volunteers with SUI. All were randomly assigned to either an RHR or PFMT exercise group. Each group exercised at home for 6 weeks, with weekly rechecks in a university setting. Outcome measures included leak frequency from a bladder diary, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, the Urogenital Distress Inventory, and subjective reports of improvement. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects completed the 6-week protocol, 12 in the RHR group and 15 in the PFMT group. Average subject age was 53.87 years (SD 12.75 years). Both groups showed significant improvement across all outcome measures. There was a significant group-time interaction in reported leaks per week, suggesting that the RHR group had a slightly steeper improvement trajectory (R2 = 0.073; p = 0.03). No other measures showed significant between-group differences or group-time interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Both PFMT and RHR seem to be effective in the treatment of SUI. The present findings encourage further exploration of RHR in the treatment of SUI.

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