Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Effective for Men With Poststroke Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms? A Single-Blinded Randomized, Controlled Trial

Quantifying the effects of five rehabilitation training methods on the ability of elderly men to control bowel movements: a finite element analysis study

Purpose

The study aims to develop a finite element model of the pelvic floor and thighs of elderly men to quantitatively assess the impact of different pelvic floor muscle trainings and the urinary and defecation control ability.

Methods

A finite element model of the pelvic floor and thighs of elderly men was constructed based on MRI and CT. Material properties of pelvic floor tissues were assigned through literature review, and the relative changes in waistline, retrovesical angle (RVA) and anorectad angulation (ARA) to quantitatively verify the effectiveness of the model. By changing the material properties of muscles, the study analyzed the muscle strengthening or impairment effects of the five types of rehabilitation training for four types of urination and defecation dysfunction. The changes in four outcome indicators, including the retrovesical angle, anorectad angulation, stress, and strain, were compared.

Results

This study indicates that ARA and RVA approached their normal ranges as material properties changed, indicating an enhancement in the urinary and defecation control ability, particularly through targeted exercises for the levator ani muscle, external anal sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles. This study also emphasizes the effectiveness of personalized rehabilitation programs including biofeedback, exercise training, electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, and vibration training and advocates for providing optimized rehabilitation training methods for elderly patients.

Discussion

Based on the results of computational biomechanics, this study provides foundational scientific insights and practical recommendations for rehabilitation training of the elderly's urinary and defecation control ability, thereby improving their quality of life. In addition, this study also provides new perspectives and potential applications of finite element analysis in elderly men, particularly in evaluating and designing targeted rehabilitation training.

Barriers and facilitators of the implementation of the application of pelvic floor muscle training in patients with prostate cancer: a scoping review

Background

Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) benefit significantly from pelvic floor exercises, but recent results indicate that these exercises have not been fully promoted in clinical settings. This scoping review aimed to identify the facilitators of and barriers to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in PCa survivors.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted in November 2022. Relevant studies were identified from CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases from their inception to 20 November 2022. Data were analyzed and extracted by two formally trained researchers.

Results

A total of 53 studies were included, most of which were randomized controlled trials. The Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases (TICD) model framework was used to identify the contents of seven barriers and promotion areas, as well as a series of sub-domains. The most common barriers to implementing pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) included the following: the lack of a common scheme in guidelines and the measurement of common standardized outcomes, inadequate self-monitoring or feedback from healthcare professionals to improve PFMT compliance, poor patient compliance, and a lack of implementation equipment and financial support. Good treatment effects and easy operation were the facilitators of PFMT.

Conclusion

The implementation of PFMT faces several challenges and opportunities that should be understood thoroughly before implementation. In terms of guidelines and clinical practice, more work is needed, and the possibility of PFMT implementation in various hospitals and community health centers or clinics should be considered.

Efficacy of overactive neurogenic bladder treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence are frequently associated with known neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to review the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for neurogenic overactive bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for randomized controlled trials focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological medical treatments for overactive bladder symptoms associated with neurological diseases published up to 30 April 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 157 articles were retrieved; 94 were selected by title and abstract screening; after removal of 17 duplicates, 77 records were evaluated by full-text examination. Sixty-two studies were finally selected. The articles selected for review focused on the following interventions: anticholinergics (n = 9), mirabegron (n = 5), comparison of different drugs (n = 3), cannabinoids (n = 2), intravesical instillations (n = 3), botulinum toxin (n = 16), transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) (n = 6), acupuncture (n = 2), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS (n = 4), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) (n = 10), others (n = 2). Anticholinergics were more effective than placebo in decreasing the number of daily voids in patients with PD (mean difference [MD]- 1.16, 95 % CI - 1.80 to - 0.52, 2 trials, 86 patients, p < 0.004), but no significant difference from baseline was found for incontinence episodes and nocturia. Mirabegron was more effective than placebo in increasing the cystometric capacity in patients with MS (mean difference [MD] 89.89 mL, 95 % CI 29.76 to 150.01, 2 trials, 98 patients, p < 0.003) but no significant difference was observed for symptom scores and bladder diary parameters. TTNS was more effective than its sham-control in decreasing the number of nocturia episodes (MD -1.40, 95 % CI -2.39 to -0.42, 2 trials, 53 patients, p < 0.005) but no significant changes of OAB symptom scores were reported. PFMT was more effective than conservative advice in decreasing the ICIQ symptom score (MD, -1.12, 95 % CI -2.13 to -0.11, 2 trials, 91 patients, p = 0.03), although the number of incontinence episodes was not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the meta-analysis demonstrate a moderate efficacy of all considered treatments without proving the superiority of one therapy over the others. Combination treatment using different pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies could achieve the best clinical efficacy due to the favorable combination of the different mechanisms of action. This could be associated with fewer side effects due to drug dosage reduction. These data are only provisional and should be considered with caution, due to the few studies included in metaanalysis and to the small number of patients.

Systematic voiding programme in adults with urinary incontinence following acute stroke: the ICONS-II RCT

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence affects around half of stroke survivors in the acute phase, and it often presents as a new problem after stroke or, if pre-existing, worsens significantly, adding to the disability and helplessness caused by neurological deficits. New management programmes after stroke are needed to address urinary incontinence early and effectively.

OBJECTIVE

The Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke (ICONS)-II trial aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a systematic voiding programme for urinary incontinence after stroke in hospital.

DESIGN

This was a pragmatic, multicentre, individual-patient-randomised (1 : 1), parallel-group trial with an internal pilot.

SETTING

Eighteen NHS stroke services with stroke units took part.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were adult men and women with acute stroke and urinary incontinence, including those with cognitive impairment.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomised to the intervention, a systematic voiding programme, or to usual care. The systematic voiding programme comprised assessment, behavioural interventions (bladder training or prompted voiding) and review. The assessment included evaluation of the need for and possible removal of an indwelling urinary catheter. The intervention began within 24 hours of recruitment and continued until discharge from the stroke unit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was severity of urinary incontinence (measured using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire) at 3 months post randomisation. Secondary outcome measures were taken at 3 and 6 months after randomisation and on discharge from the stroke unit. They included severity of urinary incontinence (at discharge and at 6 months), urinary symptoms, number of urinary tract infections, number of days indwelling urinary catheter was in situ, functional independence, quality of life, falls, mortality rate and costs. The trial statistician remained blinded until clinical effectiveness analysis was complete.

RESULTS

The planned sample size was 1024 participants, with 512 allocated to each of the intervention and the usual-care groups. The internal pilot did not meet the target for recruitment and was extended to March 2020, with changes made to address low recruitment. The trial was paused in March 2020 because of COVID-19, and was later stopped, at which point 157 participants had been randomised (intervention, n = 79; usual care, n = 78). There were major issues with attrition, with 45% of the primary outcome data missing: 56% of the intervention group data and 35% of the usual-care group data. In terms of the primary outcome, patients allocated to the intervention group had a lower score for severity of urinary incontinence (higher scores indicate greater severity in urinary incontinence) than those allocated to the usual-care group, with means (standard deviations) of 8.1 (7.4) and 9.1 (7.8), respectively.

LIMITATIONS

The trial was unable to recruit sufficient participants and had very high attrition, which resulted in seriously underpowered results.

CONCLUSIONS

The internal pilot did not meet its target for recruitment and, despite recruitment subsequently being more promising, it was concluded that the trial was not feasible owing to the combined problems of poor recruitment, poor retention and COVID-19. The intervention group had a slightly lower score for severity of urinary incontinence at 3 months post randomisation, but this result should be interpreted with caution.

FUTURE WORK

Further studies to assess the effectiveness of an intervention starting in or continuing into the community are required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered as ISRCTN14005026.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 31. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

No other systematic review presented the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in individual with stroke.

AIMS

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to demonstrate the effectiveness of PFMT for urinary incontinence in patients with stroke.

METHODS

"Web of Science (WoS), Cochrane Library, PubMed and Scopus" databases were searched. "Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool randomized trials (RoB 2)" and "PEDro" were used to assess the risk of bias and methodological quality of the studies. Narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted to present the results.

RESULTS

A total of 8 articles were included in the review. Seven articles were classified as "good" level evidence. Four articles were considered to have "high risk" of bias for the overall score. Regarding two homogenous studies, PFMT-based rehabilitation was not superior standard urinary incontinence therapy on SF-36-Social Function score at 12-week follow-up (ES 0.47, 95% CI - 0.16-0.96). Data pooling of two studies did not provide an additional advantage of pelvic muscle training on 3 days voiding diary (night, total day) score at 12-week follow-up (ES 28, 95% CI - 0.61-0.48; ES 0.30, 95% CI - 0.23-0.95). On the other hand, low-quality evidence demonstrated that pelvic muscle training yielded better results on daytime voiding (ES 0.28, 95% CI 0.04-1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that PFMT had positive effects in terms of daytime urination frequency and incontinence. Although some studies have reported positive effects on symptoms, function, strength, and endurance, the generalizability of these results is controversial. Further studies should assess the quality-of-life and function with urinary incontinence and stroke-specific tools.

Effect of pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor muscle function and lower urinary tract symptoms in stroke patients: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in stroke patients. Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a promising intervention, its effects on stroke patients have not been fully studied.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the effect of PFMT on PFM and urinary function of stroke patients.

METHODS

The databases AMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro were searched for title/abstract on PFMT and stroke. RCTs and quasi-experimental trials that compared the effects of PFMT to a control intervention in stroke patients were included. The RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The Standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

The current review included three RCTs and one quasi-experimental study, all of which were moderate to high quality. The analysis revealed that PFMT significantly improved PFM contraction (SMD: 0.92; 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.38; p < .0001), dynamic endurance (SMD: 0.61; 95% CI, 0.06 to 1.16; p = .030), daytime frequency (SMD: -0.81; 95% CI, -1.37 to -0.25; p = .004), ICIQ-SF (SMD: -1.64; 95% CI, -2.39 to -0.89; p < .0001), and LUTS (SMD: -1.82; 95% CI, -2.67 to -0.96; p < .0001). Differences in PFM strength, static endurance, nocturia, UI frequency, and 24-hour pad weight were insignificant or non-existent between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

This review demonstrates that PFMT improves PFM contraction, PFM dynamic endurance, daytime frequency, and overall LUTS in stroke patients. To validate these findings, well-designed RCTs with large sample sizes and reliable outcome measures should be conducted.

Promoting urinary continence in people suffering a stroke: Effectiveness of a complex intervention-An intervention study

Aim

The study aimed to implement and measure effectiveness of a systematic continence management intervention in people suffering a stroke in undertaking rehabilitation.

Design

An intervention study was conducted.

Methods

In the first part of the study, patients were included in the control group and observed. After the training of the nursing staff, participants were assigned to the intervention group. The intervention consisted of screening, assessment, treatment, communication and evaluation.

Results

Forty‐six patients took part in the study, of which 35 were in the control and 11 in the intervention groups. Within the two groups, significant improvements in outcomes were mostly seen during the study. For the Incontinence Quality of Life Social Embarrassment scale, a significantly higher increase was observed for the intervention group. The improvement between admission and discharge in the intervention group was notably larger for the outcome's incontinence and quality of life.

Interventions for treating urinary incontinence after stroke in adults

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence can affect 40% to 60% of people admitted to hospital after a stroke, with 25% still having problems when discharged from hospital and 15% remaining incontinent after one year.This is an update of a review published in 2005 and updated in 2008.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions for treating urinary incontinence after stroke in adults at least one-month post-stroke.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Incontinence and Cochrane Stroke Specialised Registers (searched 30 October 2017 and 1 November 2017 respectively), which contain trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and handsearched journals and conference proceedings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently undertook data extraction, risk of bias assessment and implemented GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 20 trials (reporting 21 comparisons) with 1338 participants. Data for prespecified outcomes were not available except where reported below.Intervention versus no intervention/usual careBehavioural interventions: Low-quality evidence suggests behavioural interventions may reduce the mean number of incontinent episodes in 24 hours (mean difference (MD) -1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.74 to 0.74; 1 trial; 18 participants; P = 0.26). Further, low-quality evidence from two trials suggests that behavioural interventions may make little or no difference to quality of life (SMD -0.99, 95% CI -2.83 to 0.86; 55 participants).Specialised professional input interventions: One trial of moderate-quality suggested structured assessment and management by continence nurse practitioners probably made little or no difference to the number of people continent three months after treatment (risk ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.02; 121 participants; equivalent to an increase from 354 to 453 per 1000, 95% CI 287 to 715).Complementary therapy: Five trials assessed complementary therapy using traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture and ginger-salt-partitioned moxibustion plus routine acupuncture. Low-quality evidence from five trials suggested that complementary therapy may increase the number of participants continent after treatment; participants in the treatment group were three times more likely to be continent (RR 2.82, 95% CI 1.57 to 5.07; 524 participants; equivalent to an increase from 193 to 544 per 1000, 95% CI 303 to 978). Adverse events were reported narratively in one study of electroacupuncture, reporting on bruising and postacupuncture abdominal pain in the intervention group.Physical therapy: Two trials reporting three comparisons suggest that physical therapy using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may reduce the mean number of incontinent episodes in 24 hours (MD -4.76, 95% CI -8.10 to -1.41; 142 participants; low-quality evidence). One trial of TENS reporting two comparisons found that the intervention probably improves overall functional ability (MD 8.97, 95% CI 1.27 to 16.68; 81 participants; moderate-quality evidence).Intervention versus placeboPhysical therapy: One trial of physical therapy suggests TPTNS may make little or no difference to the number of participants continent after treatment (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.19 to 3.04; 54 participants) or number of incontinent episodes (MD -1.10, 95% CI -3.99 to 1.79; 39 participants). One trial suggested improvement in the TPTNS group at 26-weeks (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.41) but there was no evidence of a difference in perceived bladder condition at six weeks (OR 2.33, 95% CI 0.63 to 8.65) or 12 weeks (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.29 to 5.17). Data from one trial provided no evidence that TPTNS made a difference to quality of life measured with the ICIQLUTSqol (MD 3.90, 95% CI -4.25 to 12.05; 30 participants). Minor adverse events, such as minor skin irritation and ankle cramping, were reported in one study.Pharmacotherapy interventions: There was no evidence from one study that oestrogen therapy made a difference to the mean number of incontinent episodes per week in mild incontinence (paired samples, MD -1.71, 95% CI -3.51 to 0.09) or severe incontinence (paired samples, MD -6.40, 95% CI -9.47 to -3.33). One study reported no adverse events.Specific intervention versus another interventionBehavioural interventions: One trial comparing a behavioural intervention (timed voiding) with a pharmacotherapy intervention (oxybutynin) contained no useable data.Complementary therapy: One trial comparing different acupuncture needles and depth of needle insertion to assess the effect on incontinence reported that, after four courses of treatment, 78.1% participants in the elongated needle group had no incontinent episodes versus 40% in the filiform needle group (57 participants). This trial was assessed as unclear or high for all types of bias apart from incomplete outcome data.Combined intervention versus single interventionOne trial compared a combined intervention (sensory motor biofeedback plus timed prompted voiding) against a single intervention (timed voiding). The combined intervention may make little or no difference to the number of participants continent after treatment (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.06 to 5.21; 23 participants; equivalent to a decrease from 167 to 92 per 1000, 95% CI 10 to 868) or to the number of incontinent episodes (MD 2.20, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.28; 23 participants).Specific intervention versus attention controlPhysical therapy interventions: One study found TPTNS may make little or no difference to the number of participants continent after treatment compared to an attention control group undertaking stretching exercises (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.38 to 4.72; 24 participants; equivalent to an increase from 250 to 333 per 1000, 95% CI 95 to 1000).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to guide continence care of adults in the rehabilitative phase after stroke. As few trials tested the same intervention, conclusions are drawn from few, usually small, trials. CIs were wide, making it difficult to ascertain if there were clinically important differences. Only four trials had adequate allocation concealment and many were limited by poor reporting, making it impossible to judge the extent to which they were prone to bias. More appropriately powered, multicentre trials of interventions are required to provide robust evidence for interventions to improve urinary incontinence after stroke.

Sexual rehabilitation for cardiac patients with erectile dysfunction: a randomised clinical trial

Background

Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with either ischaemic heart disease (IHD) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and has a negative impact on quality of life. Non-pharmacological treatment options are lacking. The purpose of this trial was to assess the effect of sexual rehabilitation versus usual care for males with erectile dysfunction and either IHD and/or ICD.

Methods

Participants with erectile dysfunction and IHD and/or ICD were randomised to 12 weeks of sexual rehabilitation consisting of physical exercise training, pelvic floor exercise and psychoeducation, or usual care. Primary outcome: sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Secondary outcome: sexual function by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. Exploratory outcomes: exercise capacity, pelvic floor strength/endurance, self-reported health and mental health.

Results

154 participants were included, mean age 61.6 years (SD 6.1). Sexual rehabilitation compared with usual care improved sexual function with a mean difference IIEF score of 6.7 (95% CI 3.1 to 10.4, p<0.0003) at 4 months between groups (unadjusted IIEF mean scores 36.4 vs 31.3) and a mean difference of 6.7, 95% CI 3.2 to 10.1 (p<0.0002) at 6 months between groups (unadjusted mean scores IIEF 37.1 vs 32.2). No effects were seen on the secondary outcome. Sexual rehabilitation improved exercise capacity on cycle ergometer measured by Watt max with a mean difference of 10.3, 95% CI 3.6 to 16.9 (p<0.003) and pelvic floor strength (p<0.01). No differences were seen on self-reported health and mental health.

Conclusion

Sexual rehabilitation compared with usual care improves sexual function and exercise capacity.

Trial registration

NCT01796353; Results.

Management of Acute Stroke in the Older Person

The majority of people who suffer a stroke are older adults. The last two decades have brought major progress in the diagnosis and management of stroke, which has led to significant reductions in mortality, long-term disability, and the need for institutional care. However, acute, interventional and preventative treatments have mostly been trialled in younger age groups. In this article we will provide an overview of the evidence for acute stroke treatments in relation to age, discuss special considerations in the older person, and contemplate patient choice, quality of life, and end-of-life-decisions.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Erectile Dysfunction, and Quality of Life in Poststroke Men: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of the current study was to compare lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED), and quality of life (QoL) in poststroke and healthy men. Thirty poststroke men with stroke-related LUTS, and as controls, 96 healthy men participated in this controlled, cross-sectional study. Participants filled in the Danish Prostate Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) Questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36), the Nocturia Quality-of-Life (N-QoL) Questionnaire. In the age group ≤55 years, comparing poststroke men with healthy controls both with LUTS, the results indicated DAN-PSS-1, total score median 13 (4-17) versus 3 (2-6), p = .05; IIEF-5 25 (14-25) versus 24 (23-25), p = .06; SF-12, total score 499 (360-679) versus 695 (644-734), p = .02; and N-QoL 98 (70-100) versus 96 (90-100), p = .65. In the age group >55 years, comparing poststroke men with healthy controls both with LUTS, the results indicated DAN-PSS-1, total score 13 (8-24) versus 5 (2-7), p < .01; IIEF-5 13 (5-20) versus 25 (24-25), p < .01; SF-36, total score 585 (456-718) versus 742 (687-772), p < .01; and N-QoL, total score 81 (66-95) versus 98 (80-100), p < .01. The results demonstrated that in age group above, but not below 55 years, poststroke men with LUTS had significantly higher frequency of severe and bothersome LUTS and ED than the healthy controls with LUTS, while QoL and N-QoL were significantly lower in comparison. It is recommended to identify and assess older poststroke men for LUTS, ED, and QoL.