Bladder Training and Kegel Exercises for Women with Urinary Complaints Living in a Rest Home

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence is an annoying, uncomfortable and unpleasant condition affecting the elderly. The problem of bedwetting and other urinary complaints are common in rest homes. Objective: Our study aimed to determine the efficiency of bladder training and Kegel exercises for older women living in a rest home. Methods: This is an experimental prospective research study. Through a randomization process, 25 women were included in the treatment group, and another 25 were included in the control group. Participants were living in a rest home for women aged older than 65 years with urinary complaints. The pretreatment interview form, Quality of Life Scale, Mini-Mental Test, Rankin Scale, daily urinary forms and pad tests were administered to the treatment and control groups. Bladder training and Kegel exercises were given to the treatment group for 6–8 weeks. The second evaluation was performed 8 weeks after treatment, and the last evaluation was carried out 6 months after treatment. Results: The average age of the treatment group was 78.88 ± 4.80 years, and the average age of the control group 79.44 ± 5.32 years. Urgency, frequency and nocturia were common complaints. Pretreatment, 8-week and 6-month evaluations revealed that the amount of urinary incontinence with urgency, frequency and nocturia complaints statistically and significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group. In the pad test results, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the treatment group compared to the control group. A significant increase in pelvic floor strength was observed in the treatment group compared to the control group upon all evaluations. Conclusion: Behavioral therapy can be used easily as an effective treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly women living at a rest home.

Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke (ICONS): an evidence synthesis, case study and exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial of the introduction of a systematic voiding programme for patients with urinary incontinence after stroke in secondary care

“…Table 3 details the trial arms compared against CBIs. Of the seven control comparisons, three were attention controls, 33,71,89 two were waitlist controls 90,91,100 and two were no treatment controls. 73,76 The remaining six treatment comparisons included three medications [propantheline bromide (Pro-Banthine ® , Roxane Laboratories Inc.) or oxybutinin (Ditropan, several manufacturers) (× 2)], 33,81,82,87 two single behavioural interventions (BT or PFMT) 31 and one psychotherapy comparison.…”

“…73,76 The remaining six treatment comparisons included three medications [propantheline bromide (Pro-Banthine ® , Roxane Laboratories Inc.) or oxybutinin (Ditropan, several manufacturers) (× 2)], 33,81,82,87 two single behavioural interventions (BT or PFMT) 31 and one psychotherapy comparison. 87 Seven of the trials were undertaken in the USA 31,33,73,76,[89][90][91]100 one in the UK, 87 one in Turkey 71 and one in Israel. 81,82 Three were quasi-RCTs.…”

“…81,82 Three were quasi-RCTs. 71,73,81 All of the quasi-RCTs and the oldest trial 87 had fewer than 100 participants. The remaining trials all had more than 100 participants.…”

“…31 The definition of incontinence differs slightly: four trials specifying that UI episodes had to occur at least twice a week, 33,73,76,89 one trial specifying at least once a week 31 and one trial specifying more than two episodes a month. 71 Of the remaining four trials, two confirmed UUI by urodynamic testing, 81,87 McFall et al 90 used self-report of UI for 3 months or more as an inclusion criteria and Subak et al 100 did not define UI but referred to standard diagnostic criteria sourced from US guidelines.…”

“…76 One study was undertaken with people in rest homes. 71 Five studies involved community samples with interventions delivered in clinic visits. 31,33,81,90,100 The setting for one study was unclear.…”