Effects of combined pelvic floor muscle exercise and a support group on urinary incontinence and quality of life of postprostatectomy patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of combined pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) and a support group on postprostatectomy urinary incontinence and quality of life.


METHODS
Pilot study of a randomized, controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Two metropolitan hospitals in northeastern Ohio.


METHODS
29 men with postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.


METHODS
The participants learned PFME through biofeedback and were randomized to the control group (n = 15) or the support group (n = 14). The control group practiced PFME at home, whereas the support group attended six biweekly group meetings facilitated by a health psychologist. Assessment of urinary incontinence and quality of life was conducted at baseline and three months.


METHODS
Urinary incontinence and disease-specific quality of life.


RESULTS
Eighty-six percent of the support group participants versus 46% of the control group participants practiced PFME four to seven days per week. The support group had a lower rating of urinary incontinence based on a 0- to 10-point visual analog rating scale than the control group (X = 3.2 versus 4.7), and fewer support group participants used pads (50%) than control group participants (85%) at three months. The support group also scored significantly lower on the severity of incontinence problems than the control group at three months, especially in relationship with spouse and social outing, despite no group difference in these areas at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provided promising evidence regarding the effect of the proposed intervention on adherence to PFME, urinary incontinence, and quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Reports regarding nursing practice are lacking with respect to PFME. This study suggests that practicing PFME in a group with patients with incontinence who have undergone prostatectomy can be a useful nursing intervention.
Zhang
Amy Y
AY
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA. amy.zhang@case.edu
Strauss
Gerald J
GJ
Siminoff
Laura A
LA
D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*