Pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback and bladder training in elderly women: a feasibility study.

Perrin, L., Dauphinee, S.W., Corcos, J., Hanley, J.A., Kuchel, G.A. (2005)

Current assumptions suggest that interventions used in the treatment and management of urinary incontinence in young women can be applied to the older, competent and motivated woman, however these assumptions have never been formally tested.

This study aims to determine the feasibility of using physical therapies to treat urinary incontinence in older women.  The women were recruited from the 75+ age group with urinary incontinence from an outpatient urology clinic or awaiting incontinence surgery.

Women in the study underwent an initial assessment, following which they collected data on their incontinence symptoms and bladder habits for three weeks using the 72 hour voiding diary and 24 hour pad test.  They then received six physical therapy treatments including a combination of bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training assisted with biofeedback for six weeks.  Following the treatment the women completed another data collection fore three weeks, and underwent a final evaulation.

Ten women participated in this study, of which seven completed.  All subjects were comfortable with the treatment and complied with the study demands.  The authors observed a decrease in the number of incontinent and urgency episodes, and concluded that women over the age of 75 are good candidates to undertake physical therapies for UI and are able to comply with the demands of a scientific study.  They suggest that random controlled studies including this population will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of the therapies administered.

Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing
(2005)    32(3):186-199

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