Feasibility and acceptability of the pelvic floor muscle and bladder training programme

Abstract

Abstract Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the most commonly used physical therapy treatment for urinary incontinence, and it is more effective when combined with bladder training (BT) than alone. However, to our knowledge, there are no earlier intervention studies of the user feasibility and acceptability of the pelvic floor muscle and BT programme. The aim of this study was to pilot test the feasibility and acceptability and follow the compliance of the 8‐week pelvic floor muscle and BT programme. Pre–post intervention study among 11 community‐dwelling women born in 1936 with self‐reported urinary incontinence and without current PFMT was practised. Primary outcomes were the feasibility, acceptability and compliance of the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using a scale from 1 to 10, higher scores indicating better feasibility/acceptability. The compliance was measured using the PFMT diary and 3‐day fluid intake and urinary diary. Pelvic floor muscle and BT were perceived as feasible and acceptable. Following the training programme in daily life was perceived as quite easy. The compliance of the training programme was very high. After 8‐week intervention, the number of involuntary urine leakages and perceived negative impact of urinary incontinence on life decreased. With respect to testing of the 8‐week pelvic floor muscle and BT programme, our pilot suggests that the intervention is suitable in its present form to be used in future randomized controlled trial.