Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Urinary Incontinence: Comparison Within and Between Nonhomebound and Homebound Older Adults

A review of the role for pelvic floor physiotherapy in postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a prevalent condition affecting women. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialized field of physiotherapy dedicated to assessing and treating pelvic floor muscles. This therapy has demonstrated benefits in addressing stress urinary incontinence in premenopausal women, with numerous studies supporting its efficacy in this population. However, pelvic floor physiotherapy in the treatment of postmenopausal women is less well-established, and furthermore, the types of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women are much broader. We provide a comprehensive review of recent literature investigating the effectiveness of pelvic floor physiotherapy therapy for various conditions in postmenopausal women, including urinary incontinence, urgency urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, sexual dysfunction, and urinary incontinence in the context of obesity, frailty, mobility, and dementia. After evaluating the current literature, it is evident that there is insufficient data to definitively endorse or dismiss the utilization of Pelvic floor physiotherapy for treating urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, considering the low associated risks of pelvic floor physiotherapy, we advocate for the initiation of comprehensive, large-scale randomized studies aimed at evaluating its effectiveness in addressing urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women with special attention to vulnerable subgroups, including individuals who are obese, frail or experiencing cognitive impairment.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions delivered at home for urinary and faecal incontinence with homebound older people: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Incontinence is a common, distressing condition, most prevalent in older people. There is an unmet need for effective interventions to support continence. This review focuses on non-pharmacological interventions to reduce incontinence among homebound older people. Aim: to identify interventions with potential to be delivered by care workers, nurses or family members in a person's home.

METHODS

Multiple databases were searched until 15 September 2023 for randomised controlled trials reporting home-based interventions for incontinence for older people (≥65 years) living at home. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and papers against inclusion criteria, then assessed for the Risk of Bias (RoB2). A third reviewer resolved the discrepancies. Primary data were extracted and synthesised.

RESULTS

A full-text review of 81 papers identified seven eligible papers (1996-2022, all USA), including n = 636 participants (561 women and 75 men). Two studies focusing on multicomponent behavioural interventions showed benefit, as did one study of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation self-administered through electrode-embedded socks. Three, which included cognitively impaired people, reported improvement with toileting assistance programmes, but the effects were not all significant. Results were inconclusive from a study examining the effects of fluid intake adjustments. Interventions were delivered by nurses, three in collaboration with family caregivers. No faecal incontinence interventions met the criteria.

CONCLUSION

There is scant evidence for continence supporting interventions delivered in older people's own homes. With an ageing population often reliant on family or social care workers well-placed to support continence promotion and policy drives for services to support older people remaining at home, this evidence gap needs addressing.

Incontinence in frail elderly persons: Report of the 6th International Consultation on Incontinence

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based guidelines for the management of frail older persons with urinary incontinence are rare. Those produced by the International Consultation on Incontinence represent an authoritative set of recommendations spanning all aspects of management.

AIMS

To summarize the available evidence relating to the management of urinary incontinence in frail older people published since the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A series of systematic reviews and evidence updates were performed by members of the working group to update the 2012 recommendations.

RESULTS

Along with the revision of the treatment algorithm and accompanying text, there have been significant advances in several areas of the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in frail older people.

DISCUSSION

The committee continues to note the relative paucity of data concerning frail older persons and draw attention to knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Clinicians treating older people with lower urinary tract symptoms should use the available evidence from studies of older people combined with careful extrapolation of those data from younger subjects. Due consideration to an individual's frailty and wishes is crucial.

Evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence in the aging male

Risk of urinary incontinence (UI) increases with age and can have detrimental effects on patients and caregivers. UI should not be considered a normal part of aging and warrants a comprehensive evaluation. Treatment of UI in the aging male requires special consideration, particularly when it comes to comorbid conditions and potential side effects of intervention. The aim of this review is to discuss the evaluation of, risk factors for, and management of UI in the aging male.

Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults

This article is part of a series, Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute. Results of focus groups, conducted as part of the AARP Public Policy Institute's No Longer Home Alone video project, supported evidence that family caregivers aren't given the information they need to manage the complex care regimens of family members. This series of articles and accompanying videos aim to help nurses provide caregivers with the tools they need to manage their family member's health care at home.The articles in this new installment of the series provide simple and useful instructions that nurses should reinforce with family caregivers. This article is the first of two that provide an update on urinary incontinence and its management in older adults. The second article will contain an informational tear sheet-Information for Family Caregivers-that contains links to the instructional videos. To use this series, nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers, and then encourage caregivers to watch the videos and ask questions. In this article, the videos can be found in Resources for Nurses.