Assessment of efficacy of home available reminders to aid in the adherence and effectiveness of home-based pelvic floor muscle training in the management of stress urinary incontinence

Background: Strengthening exercises for pelvic floor muscles (SEPFM) are considered the first approach in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). UI has a devastating effect on women's quality of life in the physical, social, sexual and psychological spheres. Women restrict or diminish their activity and social participation, with serious implications. In SUI, there is an association between physical exertion and urinary loss. Increased intra-abdominal pressure triggered by physical exertion leads to increased intra-vesical pressure and, if it exceeds intraurethral pressure, in the absence of contraction of the detrusor muscle, the resulting urinary leakage is referred to as SUI. Aim of the study: To identify the protocol and/or most effective training parameters in the treatment of female SUI. Materials and methods: 100 patients with stress urinary incontinence attending the out-patient department were thoroughly evaluated and randomized into 2 groups of 50 patients each, both groups were taught Kegels exercises and instructions to perform them at home. The experimental group (A) received additional strategies to enhance the efficacy of PFME in the form of reminder bindis to be placed in areas of the home frequented by the patient like the kitchen and its appliances. Patients in the control group (B) did not receive any additional reminders. Both groups were asked to maintain an T. Srikala Prasad, Jessima Subahani, B. Amirtha. Assessment of efficacy of home available reminders to aid in the adherence and effectiveness of home-based pelvic floor muscle training in the management of stress urinary incontinence. IAIM, 2019; 6(9): 7-12. Page 8 exercise diary and allowed to continue their routine medications for comorbidities if any. They were reviewed on Day 15, Day 30 and physiotherapy sessions are given. Later on Day 90 the patients of both groups were reviewed and evaluated with a questionnaire for improvement in symptoms and adherence to PFME. Results: Among the total 100 patients who were trained to do PFME, 23 (14 from group A and 9 from group B) were completely dry by 90 days, 51 (29 from group A and 22 from group B) patients had reduction in the leak and 26 (7 from group A and 19 from group B) patients showed no improvement. Assessment from the exercise diary showed good adherence and symptom relief in most patients in the trial group. Conclusions: Adherence to PFME was better in the trial group in whom indigenous reminders were used which in turn translated into clinical improvement. In this time and era as PFMT is the first management modality in patients with stress and mixed incontinence implementation of such strategies to improve adherence to treatment is suggested especially in tertiary care setups.

Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones, and no active treatment in the management of stress urinary incontinence

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones, and no active treatment in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen subjects were randomly selected to recieve pelvic floor exercises (n=31), ES (n=30), vaginal cones (n=27), or no treatment (untreated control) (n=30). Women were evaluated before and after completion of six months of treatment by the pad test, quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL), urodynamic test, voiding diary, and subjective response. RESULTS: In the objective evaluation, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the pad test (p=0.003), in the number of stress urinary episodes (p<0.001), and a significant improvement in the quality of life (p<0.001) in subjects who used pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones compared to the control group. No significant difference was found between groups in the urodynamic parameters. In the subjective evaluation, 58 percent, 55 percent, and 54 percent of women who had used pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones, respectively, reported being satisfied after treatment. In the control group, only 21 percent patients were satisfied with the treatment. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones are equally effective treatments and are far superior to no treatment in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Women

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition that can adversely affect a woman's quality of life. The prevalence of UI among Korean women was estimated up to 42% of the married female population. Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a symptomatic diagnosis based on the presence of urgency, with or without urge incontinence, and usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, in the absence of obvious pathologic or metabolic disease. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the complaint of involuntary loss of urine during effort or exertion or during sneezing or coughing, is the most common type of UI among women. Recommended initial evaluation methods of UI include validated symptom-questionnaire, 24 hour-voiding diary, 1-hour pad test, and provocative stress test. The initial management of OAB requires an integrated approach using behavioral and pharmacologic methods. Patients should be educated about the functioning of the lower urinary tract system, fluid and dietary management, timed or prophylactic voiding and bladder training regimens, and pelvic floor exercises (PFE). Although muscarinic receptor antagonists have been shown to be effective for the treatment of OAB, adverse effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision have limited their usefulness. Most cases of OAB are not cured, but the symptoms are reduced, with an associated improvement in the patients' quality of life. Patients who are not benefited by behavioral and pharmacologic intervention may respond to intravesical administration of drugs, including blockers of afferent input; intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin, neuromodulation, and augmentation cystoplasty. The initial treatment of SUI includes behavioral changes and PFE. Bladder training, vaginal devices, and urethral inserts may also reduce stress incontinence. Surgical procedures are more likely to cure SUI than nonsurgical procedures. Based on a line of evidences available at this time, colposuspension (such as Burch) and pubovaginal sling (including the newer midurethral synthetic slings such as TVT) are the most effective surgical treatments.

The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise and Biofeedback Treatment for Stress Incontinence in Korean Women / 간호학회지

This study evaluated the Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle exercise and Biofeedback treatment for Genuine Stress Incontinence I assigned 60 participants to 2 groups : 30 to the pelvic floor muscle exercise group and 30 to the biofeedback group. Treatment protocol lasted for 6 weeks. Peak pressure, and duration time of pelvic muscle contraction were evaluated by a perineometer. Lower urinary symptoms, sexual matter and life style scores were achieved by using Jackson's scale. The treatment efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle exercise is compared with the biofeedback group and the main results of the comparison are as follows: 1. Pelvic muscle contraction 1) The peak pressure in the biofeedback group was significantly increased(P=0.000). 2. The frequency and quantity of incontinence 1) The frequency of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 2) The quantity of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 3. The lower urinary symptoms Daily frequency(P=0.000), nocturia(P=0.000), urgency(P=0.000), bladder pain(P=0.000), unexplained incontinence(P=0.048), wearing protection(P=0.022), changing outer clothing(P=0.005), hesitancy(P=0.008), intermittent stream(P=0.000), abnormal strength of stream(P=0.004), retention(P=0.000), incomplete emptying(P=0.000), and inability to stop mid steam(P=0.006) of the lower urinary symptoms in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. 4. The sexual matters The dry vagina(P=0.004) and pain during sexual intercourse(P=0.002) in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased. 5. The life style. The fluid intake restriction(P=0.007), affected daily task(P=0.003), avoidance of places & situation(P=0.003), interference in Physical activity(P=0.002), interference in relationship with other people(P=0.01), and feeling about the rest of life with urinary symptom(P=0.000) in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the biofeedback treatment was more effective than the pelvic floor muscle exercise in genuine stress incontinence.

The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise and Biofeedback Treatment for Stress Incontinence in Korean Women / 간호학회지

This study evaluated the Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle exercise and Biofeedback treatment for Genuine Stress Incontinence I assigned 60 participants to 2 groups : 30 to the pelvic floor muscle exercise group and 30 to the biofeedback group. Treatment protocol lasted for 6 weeks. Peak pressure, and duration time of pelvic muscle contraction were evaluated by a perineometer. Lower urinary symptoms, sexual matter and life style scores were achieved by using Jackson's scale. The treatment efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle exercise is compared with the biofeedback group and the main results of the comparison are as follows: 1. Pelvic muscle contraction 1) The peak pressure in the biofeedback group was significantly increased(P=0.000). 2. The frequency and quantity of incontinence 1) The frequency of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 2) The quantity of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 3. The lower urinary symptoms Daily frequency(P=0.000), nocturia(P=0.000), urgency(P=0.000), bladder pain(P=0.000), unexplained incontinence(P=0.048), wearing protection(P=0.022), changing outer clothing(P=0.005), hesitancy(P=0.008), intermittent stream(P=0.000), abnormal strength of stream(P=0.004), retention(P=0.000), incomplete emptying(P=0.000), and inability to stop mid steam(P=0.006) of the lower urinary symptoms in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. 4. The sexual matters The dry vagina(P=0.004) and pain during sexual intercourse(P=0.002) in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased. 5. The life style. The fluid intake restriction(P=0.007), affected daily task(P=0.003), avoidance of places & situation(P=0.003), interference in Physical activity(P=0.002), interference in relationship with other people(P=0.01), and feeling about the rest of life with urinary symptom(P=0.000) in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the biofeedback treatment was more effective than the pelvic floor muscle exercise in genuine stress incontinence.