title: Behavioral treatments for post-prostatectomy incontinence.
abstract: Despite improvements in surgical approaches to radical prostatectomy, many patients experience moderate to severe urinary incontinence during the first few postoperative weeks. For some patients, leakage continues for several months or years. Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on quality of life in these typically active patients. Surgical interventions are not recommended until after a 6 to 12 month trial of behavioral interventions. Behavioral interventions include supportive care, diet and medication management, pelvic floor rehabilitation, inhibition techniques, and patient education and support. This integrative review of the literature summarizes current knowledge of behavioral interventions for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence for the primary care and home care clinician. Aspects of care specific to masculine culture are explored. Recommendations for further research include determination of optimal timing and protocols for pelvic floor rehabilitation, best practices for patient and family education, and development of a standard definition of urinary incontinence so the efficacy of treatments can be compared.
authors.affiliation: State University of New Jersey, College of Nursing, Newark, NJ, USA. Hope55@aol.com
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Moorhouse
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradway
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zoltick
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*