Feasibility, acceptability and effects of a group pelvic floor muscle telerehabilitation program to treat urinary incontinence in older women

Abstract

Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most prevalent health concerns in women age 65 and over. The recommended first-line treatment for UI is individual pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). However, healthcare systems worldwide are unable to meet the demand for this resource-intensive approach. Recently, the Group Rehabilitation Or IndividUal Physiotherapy (GROUP) trial showed that group-based PFMT was not inferior to individual PFMT to treat UI in older women, despite using fewer resources. This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability and effects on UI-related symptoms and associated quality of life (QoL) of an online adaptation of the GROUP program (teleGROUP) for UI in older women. Methods and analysis This pilot study will involve the recruitment of 32 older women with UI. Participants’ attendance to online sessions, adherence to weekly home exercises, and side effects, in addition to the physiotherapist's fidelity to the program delivery will be collected to evaluate the program's feasibility. Participants’ dropout rates, reasons for dropout, satisfaction and usability scores will be collected to evaluate the program's acceptability for participants. A survey will evaluate the program's acceptability for the physiotherapists. Additionally, at the end of the study, qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups will investigate further feasibility and acceptability. To measure the effects of teleGROUP, number of weekly leakages and percentage reduction will be the primary outcomes.

Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: A Feasibility Study

“…This study follows the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for reporting results. A detailed study protocol was previously published [40].…”

“…Women were not eligible if they reported any condition that could interfere with PFMT or the study processes. The complete list of eligibility criteria is available in previously published protocols [40,43].…”

“…All sessions were then divided into a 10-15 min educational component and a 30-45 min PFMT exercise component. More detail on both the educational and exercise components of the teleGROUP program are available in Supplementary Table S1 and in previously published protocols [15,40]. In the case of an unexplained absence for a weekly session, the research team ensured that the participant was subsequently contacted via phone or email for a follow-up.…”