Feasibility and outcomes: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a home-based integrated physical exercise and bladder-training program vs usual care for community-dwelling older women with urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of a home-based integrated physical exercise and bladder-training program vs usual care in community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS: We conducted a parallel arm, nonblinded, pilot randomized controlled trial of a home-based integrated physical exercise and bladder training with urge suppression and fall prevention program (ExerciseUP) vs usual care in women aged 65 and older with UI. Outcomes included feasibility (process, resources, management, and acceptability), urinary symptoms, and falls risk using self-administered questionnaires. Objective physical activity was measured using accelerometry. RESULTS: A total of 37 of 38 (97%) eligible women were willing to participate in the study. In the ExerciseUP intervention cohort, 17 of 19 (89%) women completed all 6 weeks of intervention and follow-up, and 16 of 18 (89%) women in the usual group completed follow-up. Ten (53%) women in the ExerciseUP group achieved at least 70% adherence to exercise prescription. The improvement in UI severity scores from baseline was greater in the ExerciseUP intervention group than the usual care group (- 6.2 ± 5.8 vs - 2.4 ± 4.2, P = 0.04). Fall-risk score decreased (improved) in both groups. There were no significant between-group differences in change in physical activity or sedentary behavior. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that it would be feasible to conduct a home-based exercise intervention in older women with UI. Our clinical outcomes were modestly favorable for the ExerciseUP intervention group.

A Mobile Application Patient Decision Aid for Treatment of Overactive Bladder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a mobile application patient decision aid (mPDA) for providing treatment options to women with overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: We performed a mixed methods study. We conducted cognitive interviews to gain insight about treatment decisions for OAB. We then developed an evidence-based mPDA and conducted a prospective cohort study to validate it. Women completed the validated Decisional Conflict Scale. Construct validity was determined by comparing Decisional Conflict Scale scores before and after use of the decision aid. Concurrent validity was assessed by determining the relationship between change in Decision Conflict Scale score and a validated Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the change in Decision Conflict Scale score in women who had failed 2 or less versus 3 or more prior treatments. RESULTS: Fifteen women participated in cognitive interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that women want information about adverse events, personalization of treatment options, and supplemental interactive sources. Sixty-five women participated in the validation study. Decision Conflict Scale scores improved significantly after use of the decision aid (60.2 ± 22.3 vs 18.7 ± 19.5, P < 0.001). Change in Decision Conflict Scale score correlated moderately with Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire score (r = 0.437, P = 0.003). Women with 3 or more prior treatment failures had greater improvement in Decision Conflict Scale score than women with 2 or less prior treatment failures (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mPDA is a valuable adjunct to physician counseling for treatment options in women with OAB.

Comparison of Patient Impact and Clinical Characteristics Between Urgency and Passive Fecal Incontinence Phenotypes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if categorizing fecal incontinence (FI) as urgency or passive FI is clinically meaningful, we compared clinical severity, quality of life, physical examination findings, and functional and anatomic deficits between women with urgency and passive FI. METHODS: This study is a prospective cross-sectional study of women with at least monthly FI. All women completed the St Mark's Vaizey and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaires and underwent anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound. We compared women with urgency FI to women with passive FI. RESULTS: Forty-six women were enrolled, 21 (46%) with urgency FI and 25 (54%) with passive FI. Clinical severity by Vaizey score did not differ between groups (urgency 11.7 ± 1.6 vs passive 11.0 ± 1.0, P = 0.51). Women with urgency FI had worse median (range) lifestyle and coping scores than passive FI (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life: lifestyle domain 2.5 [1, 4] vs 3.8 [1, 4], P = 0.04; coping domain 1.7 [1, 3] vs 2.4 [0.9, 4], P < 0.01). Women with urgency FI had higher anal resting and squeeze pressure than passive FI (60 ± 4 mm Hg vs 49 ± 3 mm Hg, P = 0.03; 78 [48, 150] mm Hg vs 60 [40, 103], P = 0.05). Internal anal sphincter defects were more common in women with passive FI (41.7% vs 30.0%, P = 0.53) and external anal sphincter defects more common in women with urgency FI (25% vs 16.7%, P = 0.71), but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: We identified functional and anatomic differences between women with urgency FI and passive FI. Pheonotyping women with FI into these subtypes is clinically meaningful.

Diet Modifications in Older Women With Fecal Incontinence: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate dietary modification strategies used by community-dwelling older women to manage their fecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with focus groups wherein women 65 years and older with FI shared their experiences managing the condition. We explored the following: (1) association between diet and FI symptoms, (2) dietary strategies and modifications used by older women to manage FI, and (3) patient input about disseminating diet modification information and strategies. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and qualitatively analyzed to identify relevant themes. RESULTS: Twenty-one women participated in 3 focus groups. All participants were aware that diet plays a key role in their experience of FI and women described a method of "trial and error" in identifying specific aspects of their diet that contributed to their FI symptoms. Women reported modifications including avoiding or limiting several foods and food categories, changing certain methods of food preparation, as well as varying the amounts and frequency of meals to manage their FI. Women articulated several suggestions including the importance of physician input, using a balanced approach when making recommendations, and the value of sharing individual experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Older women with FI make several dietary modifications to manage their symptoms including limiting certain foods, changing methods of food preparation, and decreasing the amounts and frequency of meals. These strategies may be considered for inclusion in a diet modification plan that is culturally competent for older women with FI.

Physical Activity Patterns and Sedentary Behavior in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence: an Accelerometer-based Study.

PURPOSE: Objective physical activity data for women with urinary incontinence are lacking. We investigated the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the severity of urinary symptoms in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence using accelerometers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a study that measured physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time) and sedentary behavior (percentage of sedentary time, number of sedentary bouts per day) using a triaxial accelerometer in older community-dwelling adult women not actively seeking treatment of their urinary symptoms. The relationship between urinary symptoms and physical activity variables was measured using linear regression. RESULTS: Our cohort of 35 community-dwelling women (median, age, 71 years) demonstrated low physical activity (median daily step count, 2168; range, 687-5205) and high sedentary behavior (median percentage of sedentary time, 74%; range, 54%-89%). Low step count was significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.02). Shorter duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time was significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.001), nocturnal enuresis (P = 0.04), and greater use of incontinence products (P = 0.04). Greater percentage of time spent in sedentary behavior was also significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of physical activity are associated with greater nocturia and nocturnal enuresis. Sedentary behavior is a new construct that may be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Physical activity and sedentary behavior represent potential new targets for treating nocturnal urinary tract symptoms.

Barriers to Exercise Among Women With Urgency Urinary Incontinence: Patient and Provider Perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe important barriers to exercise in older women with urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) from the patient and provider perspectives. METHODS: Six focus groups (2 in active women, 2 in sedentary women, and 2 in providers) were conducted with 36 women with UUI and 18 providers. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim. All transcripts were coded and analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Investigators identified emergent themes and concepts using a modified biopsychosocial conceptual model. RESULTS: A wide range of physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors were perceived to influence exercise. Although women with UUI identified pain as a strong barrier to exercise, providers did not. Both women with UUI and providers identified shame associated with incontinence as a significant barrier, and, conversely, satisfaction with UUI treatment was noted as an enabler for exercising. Women and providers had incongruent views on the need for supervision during exercise; women viewed supervision as a barrier to exercise, whereas providers viewed lack of supervision as a barrier to exercise. Opportunity for socialization was noted as a major enabler of exercise by all groups and suggests that exercise programs that promote interactions with peers may increase exercise participation. The importance of financial incentive and reimbursement was congruent between women and their providers. CONCLUSIONS: Women with UUI have unique perspectives on barriers to exercise. Understanding women's perspective can aid clinicians and researchers in improving exercise counseling and in creating exercise programs for women with UUI.