AIMS: To explore if adding occlusion training of a thigh (KAATSU) to low-intensity pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) could increase effect of PFMT in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS: Single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study. Women with SUI and an ICIQ-UI-SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short form) score of ≥12 were randomized to a low-intensity PFMT program followed by KAATSU (KAATSU + PFMT) or to a low-intensity PFMT program without KAATSU (PFMT group), both performed four times a week for 12 weeks.

PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in the ICIQ-UI-SF score at a 12-week follow-up.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES: a 3-day leakage diary, the PGI-I (Patient Global Index of Improvement scale), bother with KAATSU in a numeric rank scale and change in urethral opening pressure (UOP) measured with urethral pressure reflectometry (UPR) at rest, contraction and straining at the 12-week follow-up.

RESULTS: Forty-one women with SUI and an ICIQ-UI-SF of 13 (range 12-16) were included. Fourteen in the KAATSU + PFMT and 17 in the PFMT group completed the study. Both groups had a significant and clinically relevant improvement of the ICIQ-UI-SF score and decrease in number of incontinence episodes with no significant between group differences. UOP did not increase significantly in either group. Bother with KAATSU was low but seven of 14 women expressed dislike with KAATSU.

CONCLUSIONS: The added KAATSU protocol did not increase the effect of low-intensity PFMT and it was not well tolerated. While subjective effect was significant in both intervention groups this was not reflected in the UPR measures.