OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of an adapted pelvic fitness and educational program to control urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women over 65 years of age.
DESIGN: Feasibility study.
SETTING: Residential independent living facilities.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty three study subjects, limited to women 65 years and older residing in or utilizing an independent living facility, who self reported that they had UI or OAB symptoms.
METHODS: Study participants volunteered to participate in a 6-week pelvic fitness class. Classes were held at 3 different independent living sites. Forty three women in four different treatment groups with 9-15 women per group completed the adapted group pelvic fitness and education instruction, twice a week for six weeks. At one site, in addition to the treatment group, we had an education only group, in which fourteen women received an alternate intervention consisting of only one educational session and booklet presenting the didactic content without specific muscle isolation or training.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: In addition to demographics, standardized assessments using validated instruments were obtained prior to and after the last class, including: general health, self-reported bladder function, quality of life, and the timed up and go test.
RESULTS: Most participants (97%) were Caucasian with a mean age 83 years old (range 67-95). Most (83%) reported symptom improvement. We detected statistically significant improvements in OAB and bladder symptoms after 6 weeks in the treatment group including VAS (p= .0058) for bothersomeness of bladder symptoms; total score UDI-6 (p=< .0001) and total score IIQ-7 (p= .0036).
CONCLUSIONS: Group pelvic floor fitness program combined with pelvic health education is a promising approach to reduce urinary symptoms and improve the quality of life of older women living with OAB or UI symptoms.
Written by:
Dugan SA, Lavender MD, Hebert-Beirne J, Brubaker L. Are you the author?
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Reference: PM R. 2013 Mar 15. pii: S1934-1482(13)00118-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.03.009
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23507346
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