Meta-analysis finds nonsignificant effects for Kegel exercises on key UI outcomes in women

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health condition among women. Pelvic floor muscle training is used to increase pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to explore the effects of Kegel exercises on women with UI. METHODS: "PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CINAHL" were searched from inception to October 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) administering Kegel exercises to women with UI, compared with active or passive comparators, and consisting of at least one outcome measure assessing UI were selected. The "Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool" was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies (819 women) met eligibility criteria. The findings revealed nonsignificant differences in the Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.106, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.134 to 0.345, p = 0.387, I = 40%], the PAD test [SMD = -0.048, 95% CI: -0.466 to 0.370, p = 0.822, I = 75%], and the PFM strength [SMD = 0.035, 95% CI: -0.508 to 0.579, p = 0.898, I = 82%]. Other outcomes revealed significant improvements, especially when Kegel exercises were combined with other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for the effects of Kegel exercises on UI is limited. Further studies are warranted to explore the effects of Kegel exercises on women with different health and medical characteristics.