BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy-induced incontinence (RII) is a common side effect for women undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancers, impacting their quality of life. Pre-treatment pelvic floor exercises (PFEs) have emerged as a promising, non-invasive approach to prevent or reduce RII. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of pre-treatment, nurse-led PFEs in reducing RII in gynaecological cancer patients, focusing on incontinence severity, quality of life, and influencing factors. METHODOLOGY: A search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect identified relevant studies. Only randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies involving nurse-led PFEs were included. Outcomes assessed included incontinence severity, urinary incontinence quality of life, and exercise adherence. RESULTS: The review included 22 studies, which showed that pre-treatment PFEs significantly improved pelvic floor muscle strength, reduced incontinence severity, and enhanced quality of life. Nurse-led interventions were key to patient engagement and adherence, with factors like exercise timing and frequency affecting outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment, nurse-led PFEs are effective in reducing RII and improving quality of life in gynaecological cancer patients. These exercises should be incorporated into standard care protocols to proactively manage RII. Future research should focus on long-term effects and digital tools for supporting adherence.

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