Effect of physiotherapy on the symptoms of urgency urinary incontinence and the quality of life of older women
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) combined with cognitive tasks in older women with an impact on the symptoms of urine leakage, activities of daily life and quality of life. Sample: The research sample consisted of 80 senior women with mixed urinary incontinence (with a mean age of 75 +- 4.3 years).
They were divided into two groups - experimental (n = 40) and control (n = 40). Interventions: Duration of the intervention - 12 weeks.
Both groups - physical training (exercises to strengthen the muscles of the lower limbs, and balance exercises for the static and dynamic components of balance) 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Experimental group - education on the anatomy, physiology and function of the pelvic floor muscles.
PFMT in different positions, combined with cognitive tasks - 2 times a week for 30 minutes. Methods: Symptoms of urinary incontinence were assessed by a voiding diary, Activities of Everyday Life were assessed by the Functional Activity Questionnaire and the Barthel Index.
Quality of life was assessed by the EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Results: In the number of urinations during the day and at night, significant differences p <= 0.001 in favour of the experimental group were noted between the groups after treatment.
There were no significant differences in the number of urgencies after the treatment between the groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in the evaluation of functional activities, in the Geriatric Depression Scale, in the Barthel Index and in the evaluation of quality of life by the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire after treatment.
Conclusion: PFMT with cognitive tasks with movement training proves to be a more effective therapeutic intervention not only in improving the symptoms of urine leakage compared to movement training alone. Physical training and PFMT have a positive effect on activities of daily living and the quality of life in older woman with mixed urinary incontinence.