Strengths and limitations
Strengths of the study were the randomized and assessor-blinded design,
concealed allocation, a supervised individually tailored program for
each participant aiming at treating the symptoms and high adherence to
the exercise sessions. Following the participants for one year should
also be considered a strength, as long term results are lacking in
published studies.12
Limitations were the higher drop-out rate in the TG and the low number
of women reporting prolapse symptoms in both groups which may have
caused a type II error due to small sample size. Five women who were
randomized to the TG and contributed to the main outcomes did not
participate in the intervention, which also might have influenced the
results. The adherence to PFMT after cessation of the intervention is
also a limitation of the study.