Ambulatory bio-feedback for stress incontinence exercise regimes: a novel development of the perineometer.
Stress incontinence is a debilitating condition affecting a large proportion of the female population. Pelvic floor exercising with the aid of bio-feedback is well established as an effective treatment regime. However, current monitoring devices are restrictive in the way they may be employed in community-based therapy. A prototype unit is described, which is both compact and accurate and suitable for ambulatory monitoring of vaginal pressure. This device is suitable for self-help domiciliary regimes and may also be used as an accurate yardstick to judge individual response to therapy. Conceptual changes in health-care provision are leading to greater emphasis on community-centred care for non-acute conditions such as stress incontinence. Development of more appropriate scientific and technological support is likely to have a fundamental role in the success of such schemes.
Jones
K R
KR
Department of Bio-medical Engineering and Medical Physics, North Staffordshire Hospital/Keele University, School of Postgraduate Medicine, England.
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010502:Perineum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation; D014159:Transducers; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*