Reducing Falls in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is common in older women and doubles the risk of falls in this population. The association between urinary incontinence, especially urgency urinary incontinence, and falls is multifactorial and likely the result of a complex interaction between physical, mental, social, and environmental factors. As a result of this multifactorial etiology and based on existing evidence, the integration of different fall prevention strategies including strength and resistance exercises, bladder training, and home hazard reduction have the potential to decrease the risk of falls in older women with urinary incontinence. Given the prevalence of urinary incontinence and the significant morbidity associated with falls, effective interventions to reduce fall risk in older women with urinary incontinence is of high public health significance.

Factors predicting the treatment success of bladder training for urgency urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of bladder training (BT) for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and to determine women characteristics that are predictors for success.

METHODS

Clinical data of 110 women with UUI who had received BT over 8 weeks were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (24-h pad test), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and the number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), incontinence-related QoL (IIQ-7) and treatment success. Treatment success was evaluated at a ≥50% reduction in incontinence episodes at the end of the treatment.

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters (incontinence severity, frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes and the number of pads, symptom severity, and incontinence-related QoL) at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline values in women with UUI who had received BT (p < 0.001). The treatment success rate was 35.5%. In the multivariate analysis (OR, 95% CI), the treatment was found to be more successful in women with higher education levels (p = 0.012, p = 0.029) and of younger ages (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the BT given to women with UUI is effective in reducing incontinence severity, frequency, nocturia, incontinence episodes, number of pads, symptom severity, and improving QoL. Young age and high education levels are the predictive factors in the treatment success of BT in women with UUI. For this reason, these predictive factors should be considered in determining the treatment strategy for women with UUI.

Short-term effect of magnetic stimulation added to bladder training in women with idiopathic overactive bladder: A prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of magnetic stimulation (MStim) added to bladder training (BT) on incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-six women with idiopathic OAB were randomized into two groups using the random numbers generator as follows: Group 1 received BT alone (n: 38), and Group 2 received BT + MStim (n: 38). MStim was performed with MStim therapy armchair (Novamag NT60), 2 days a week, 20 min a day, a total of 12 sessions for 6 weeks. Women were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (24-h pad test), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia, and number of pads), symptom severity (OAB-V8), QoL (IIQ-7), positive response and cure-improvement rates, and treatment satisfaction (Likert scale) at the baseline and the end of treatment (sixth week).

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement was found in incontinence severity, frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads, symptom severity, and QoL parameters for two groups at the end of the treatment compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). At the end of treatment; incontinence severity, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads, symptom severity, and QoL were significantly improved in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05). No difference was found between the two groups in terms of frequency of voiding (p > 0.05). The positive response and cure-improvement rates, and treatment satisfaction were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MStim added to BT is more effective than BT alone in women with idiopathic OAB.

Efficacy of percutaneous and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in women with idiopathic overactive bladder: A prospective randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Different studies have reported the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in treating idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). However, no study has compared the effectiveness of PTNS and TTNS added to bladder training (BT) in idiopathic OAB.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of PTNS and TTNS added to BT in women with idiopathic OAB.

METHODS

We randomised 60 women with idiopathic OAB into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=19) received BT, Group 2 (n=19) received PTNS in addition to BT, and Group 3 (n=20) received TTNS in addition to BT. PTNS and TTNS were performed 2 days a week, for 30 min a day, for a total of 12 sessions for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated by incontinence severity (pad test), a 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia and number of pads used), symptom severity, quality of life, treatment success (positive response rate), treatment satisfaction (Likert scale), discomfort level and preparation time for stimulation (sec).

RESULTS

At the end of treatment; severity of incontinence, frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, nocturia, number of pads used, symptom severity and quality of life were significantly improved in Groups 2 and 3 versus Group 1 (p<0.0167). Treatment success and treatment satisfaction were higher in Groups 2 and 3 than Group 1 (p<0.001 and p<0.0167, respectively). Level of discomfort was lower, treatment satisfaction was higher and preparation time for stimulation was shorter in Group 3 than Group 2 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both the PTNS plus BT and TTNS plus BT were more effective than BT alone in women with idiopathic OAB. These 2 tibial nerve stimulation methods had similar clinical efficacy but with slight differences: TTNS had shorter preparation time, less discomfort level and higher patient satisfaction than PTNS.

Which combination is most effective in women with idiopathic overactive bladder, including bladder training, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation? A prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of single and combined use of biofeedback (BF) and electrical stimulation (ES) added to bladder training (BT) on incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) and clinical parameters in women with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy women were randomized into four groups as follows: Group 1 received BT alone (n = 18), Group 2 received BT + BF (n = 17), Group 3 received BT + ES (n = 18), and Group 4 received BT + BF + ES (n = 17). BF and ES were performed 3 days a week, 20 min a day, a total of 24 sessions for 8 weeks. All women were evaluated in terms of incontinence severity (pad test), pelvic floor muscles strength (perineometer), 3-day voiding diary (frequency of voiding, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and number of pads), QoL (incontinence impact questionnaire), treatment success (positive response rate), cure/improvement rate, treatment satisfaction (Likert scale), and discomfort level (visual analog scale).

RESULTS

At the end of the treatment, severity of incontinence, frequency of voiding, incontinence episodes, and treatment satisfaction significantly improved in Group 3 and Group 4 compared with the other two groups. In Group 3 and Group 4, high statistically significant values were found in cure/improvement and positive response rates as opposed to Group 1 and Group 2. In Group 2 and Group 3, statistically significant improvements were seen in nocturia and QoL compared with Group 1. Moreover, statistically significant improvements in nocturia and QoL were found in Group 4 compared with the other three groups. There was no difference in the discomfort level of application between the groups.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that in the first-line conservative treatment of women with idiopathic OAB: (i) adding BF and/or ES to BT increases treatment effectiveness, (ii) clinical efficiency is greater when the combination includes ES, (iii) BT + BF + ES (triple combination) is the most effective treatment option in reducing nocturia and improving QoL.

The effects of bladder training on bladder functions after transurethral resection of prostate

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this was to examine the effect of bladder training on bladder functions.

BACKGROUND

Urinary catheterization is frequently performed in order to evaluate the outcomes of the surgical procedures and to monitor the urine output after urology operations.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the urology clinic in Istanbul, Turkey in which 50 males were nonrandomly assigned to either a bladder training (n = 28) or a control group (n =22). In the bladder training groups, the urinary catheters of the patients were clamped at 4-hr intervals and then were left open for 5 min on the second postoperative day. This study was created in accordance with TREND Statement Checklist.

RESULTS

The first urgency time and the first voiding time were longer, and the prevoiding and the voiding volumes were higher following the removal of the catheter in the training group (p = 0.001). In addition, the evaluation of the patient bladder diaries in the first three days after the discharge period revealed that the daily frequencies of micturition and nocturia were lower (p = 0.04), the mean duration of intervals between the micturition was longer (p = 0.006), and the mean voided urinary volume was higher (p = 0.024) in the training group.

CONCLUSION

At the end of the study, it is observed that bladder training performed by clamping the catheter on postoperative day 2 after Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TUR-P) operation is a significant positive effect on the storage symptoms of the patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Before removing the urinary catheter, bladder training programme affects positively to patients, especially prevoiding and the voiding volumes, the daily frequencies of micturition and nocturia on postoperative periods.

Structured behavioral treatment research protocol for women with mixed urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms

AIMS

The primary aim is to provide detailed rationale and methodology for the development and implementation of a perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise research protocol for women who self-chose surgical intervention and who may or may not have been offered behavioral treatments initially. This protocol is part of the ESTEEM trial (Effects of Surgical Treatment Enhanced with Exercise for Mixed Urinary Incontinence Trial) which was designed to determine the effect of a combined surgical and perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise intervention versus surgery alone on improving mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.

METHODS

As part of a multi-site, prospective, randomized trial of women with MUI electing midurethral sling (MUS) surgical treatment, participants were randomized to a standardized perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise intervention + MUS versus MUS alone. The specific behavioral intervention included: education on voiding habits, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), bladder training (BT), strategies to control urgency and reduce/prevent urinary symptoms, and monitoring/promoting adherence to behavioral recommendations. To ensure consistency across all eight research sites in the pelvic floor disorders network (PFDN), selective behavioral treatments sessions were audiotaped and audited for protocol adherence.

RESULTS

The behavioral intervention protocol includes individualization of interventions using an algorithm based on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) assessment, participant symptoms, and findings from the study visits. We present, here, the specific perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise interventions administered by study interventionists.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper details a perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise intervention research study protocol developed for women undergoing surgery for MUI.

Client and clinical staff perceptions of barriers to and enablers of the uptake and delivery of behavioural interventions for urinary incontinence: qualitative evidence synthesis

AIM

To evaluate factors influencing uptake and delivery of behavioural interventions for urinary incontinence from the perspective of clients and clinical staff.

BACKGROUND

Behavioural interventions are recommended as first-line therapy for the management of urinary incontinence. Barriers to and enablers of uptake and delivery of behavioural interventions have not been reviewed.

DESIGN

Qualitative evidence synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, AMED (inception to May 2013); Proceedings of the International Continence Society (ICS) (2006-2013).

REVIEW METHODS

Studies where data were collected from clients or staff about their experiences or perceptions of behavioural interventions were included. Two reviewers independently screened records on title and abstract. Full-text papers were obtained for records identified as potentially relevant by either reviewer. Two reviewers independently filtered all full-text papers for inclusion, extracted findings and critically appraised studies. We used an approach akin to Framework, using a matrix of pre-specified themes to classify the data and facilitate its presentation and synthesis.

RESULTS

Seven studies involving 200 participants identified clients' views. Findings identified from at least one study of moderate quality included increased fear of accidents and convenience of treatment. Factors enabling participation included realistic goals and gaining control. Six studies involving 427 participants identified staff views. Findings identified from at least one study of moderate quality included staff education and perceptions of treatment effectiveness. Enabling factors included teamwork and experience of success.

CONCLUSION

There is little detailed exploration of clients' experiences of, and responses to, behavioural interventions. Evidence for staff relates predominantly to prompted voiding in long-term residential care. Studies of the uptake and delivery of other behavioural interventions in other settings are warranted.

Evaluation and management of overactive bladder: strategies for optimizing care

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition affecting millions of men and women worldwide. It is an embarrassing condition with far-reaching consequences. Although many treatment options exist, no single treatment has been proven to be most effective. Often a combination of therapy is required to successfully manage OAB symptoms. In this review, we provide an overview of OAB, including risk factors for development of OAB; keys to diagnosis; therapeutic options including conservative and medical management, as well as treatments for refractory OAB; when to consider referral to a specialist; and resources for clinicians and patients. The aim of this review is to inform clinicians regarding OAB management in order to improve patient counseling and care.

Outcomes of different protocols of pelvic floor physical therapy and anti-cholinergics in women with wet over-active bladder: A 4-year follow-up

AIMS

We investigated the 4-year outcomes of three protocols of pelvic floor physical therapy and anticholinergic drug in women with wet over-active bladder (OAB).

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-four women were randomly allocated to one of four interventions: drug therapy (DT), bladder training (BT), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), or combined pelvic floor rehabilitation (CPFR) that includes BT, PFMT, and behavioral advice. The active treatment in each group lasted 3 months. Of the 132 women who completed a 1-year follow-up, 120 women (90%) responded to our questionnaires and therefore were included in this study. Outcome measures were the number of voids per day, number of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes per week, completely dry rate and Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL) at 4 years.

RESULTS

After 4 years of follow-up, the outcome measures improved significantly and equally in all four groups. The median number of UUI episodes/week dropped by 3, 1, 2, and 2 in the DT, BT, PFMT, and CPFR groups, respectively (P = ns). The dry rates were 25%, 31%, 44%, 34% in the DT, BT, PFMT, and CPFR groups, respectively (P = ns). I-QOL scores improved significantly in all four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who suffer from wet-OAB may experience the same degree of long-term improvement following various pelvic floor physical therapy protocols as they would from drug therapy. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:755-758, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect of conservative treatment of urinary incontinence among older and frail older people: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

urinary incontinence (UI) is a common symptom among older people, with a higher prevalence among frail older persons living in nursing homes. Despite consequences such as reduced health and quality of life, many older people do not seek help for their symptoms, resulting in missed opportunity for treatment.

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to investigate the evidence and the effect of conservative treatment of UI and the quality of life among older and frail older persons.

METHODS

a systematic review of randomised controlled studies and prospective, non-randomised studies was conducted, evaluating interventions of conservative treatment of UI in an older population (65 years or older). A total of 23 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 9 were of high or moderate quality. Fourteen studies were of low quality and were therefore excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

documented and effective conservative treatments are available even for older persons with UI. Pelvic muscle exercise, physical training in combination with ADL, prompted voiding and attention training, and help to toilet are important treatments. In some studies, however, the evidence of effectiveness is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

this systematic review concludes that there are conservative treatments for UI for older and frail older persons that reduce leakage and increase quality of life. There is however a need for further high-quality studies.

Multi-center randomized controlled trial of cognitive treatment, placebo, oxybutynin, bladder training, and pelvic floor training in children with functional urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

Functional urinary incontinence causes considerable morbidity in 8.4% of school-age children, mainly girls. To compare oxybutynin, placebo, and bladder training in overactive bladder (OAB), and cognitive treatment and pelvic floor training in dysfunctional voiding (DV), a multi-center controlled trial was designed, the European Bladder Dysfunction Study.

METHODS

Seventy girls and 27 boys with clinically diagnosed OAB and urge incontinence were randomly allocated to placebo, oxybutynin, or bladder training (branch I), and 89 girls and 16 boys with clinically diagnosed DV to either cognitive treatment or pelvic floor training (branch II). All children received standardized cognitive treatment, to which these interventions were added. The main outcome variable was daytime incontinence with/without urinary tract infections. Urodynamic studies were performed before and after treatment.

RESULTS

In branch I, the 15% full response evolved to cure rates of 39% for placebo, 43% for oxybutynin, and 44% for bladder training. In branch II, the 25% full response evolved to cure rates of 52% for controls and 49% for pelvic floor training. Before treatment, detrusor overactivity (OAB) or pelvic floor overactivity (DV) did not correlate with the clinical diagnosis. After treatment these urodynamic patterns occurred de novo in at least 20%.

CONCLUSION

The mismatch between urodynamic patterns and clinical symptoms explains why cognitive treatment was the key to success, not the added interventions. Unpredictable changes in urodynamic patterns over time, the response to cognitive treatment, and the gender-specific prevalence suggest social stress might be a cause for the symptoms, mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor signaling pathways.

Medical management of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB), as defined by the International Continence Society, is characterized by a symptom complex including urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence, usually associated with frequency and nocturia. OAB syndrome has an incidence reported from six European countries ranging between 12-17%, while in the United States; a study conducted by the National Overactive Bladder Evaluation program found the incidence at 17%. In Asia, the prevalence of OAB is reported at 53.1%. In about 75%, OAB symptoms are due to idiopathic detrusor activity; neurological disease, bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) intrinsic bladder pathology and other chronic pelvic floor disorders are implicated in the others. OAB can be diagnosed easily and managed effectively with both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies. The first-line treatments are lifestyle interventions, bladder training, pelvic floor muscle exercises and anticholinergic drugs. Antimuscarinics are the drug class of choice for OAB symptoms; with proven efficacy, and adverse event profiles that differ somewhat.

Effects of bladder training and/or tolterodine in female patients with overactive bladder syndrome: a prospective, randomized study

We compared the effects of bladder training and/or tolterodine as first line treatment in female patients with overactive bladder (OAB). One hundred and thirty-nine female patients with OAB were randomized to treatment with bladder training (BT), tolterodine (To, 2 mg twice daily) or both (Co) for 12 weeks. Treatment efficacy was measured by micturition diary, urgency scores and patients' subjective assessment of their bladder condition. Mean frequency and nocturia significantly decreased in all treatment groups, declining 25.9% and 56.1%, respectively, in the BT group; 30.2% and 65.4%, respectively, in the To group; and 33.5% and 66.3%, respectively in the Co group (p<0.05 for each). The decrease in frequency was significantly greater in the Co group than in the BT group (p<0.05). Mean urgency score decreased by 44.8%, 62.2% and 60.2% in the BT, To, and Co groups, respectively, and the improvement was significantly greater in the To and Co groups than in the BT group (p<0.05 for each). Although BT, To and their combination were all effective in controlling OAB symptoms, combination therapy was more effective than either method alone. Tolterodine alone may be instituted as a first-line therapy, but may be more effective when combined with bladder training.