RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) among female recruits during basic training and their knowledge and practice of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). Furthermore, to determine if there is a relationship between the severity of UI and PFMT knowledge and practice. METHODS: This correlational study utilized a demographic and health questionnaire, a UI questionnaire (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form [ICIQ-SF]), and a PFMT questionnaire-Short version of the Patient-reported Outcome Measures [PFMT-P]). RESULTS: The study included 349 female recruits with a mean age of 18.17 ( ± 0.390). The prevalence of UI was 26.7%, with a low mean of 2.03 ( ± 3.893) on the ICIQ-SF. PFMT knowledge level was moderate, 1.46 ( ± 0.790), and the mean practice of PFMT was low, 2.51( ± 1.180). No significant correlation was found between the ICIQ-SF score and the level of knowledge, rs = -0.09, P = .092. There was a weak but significant correlation between the ICIQ-SF score and PFMT practice, rs = 0.170, P= .003. CONCLUSION: A little more than a quarter of the female recruits reported UI with a low severity. A relationship was found between UI and PFMT practice.
RESUMEN
Background: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a post-proctectomy consequence characterized by variable and unpredictable bowel function, including clustering, urgency, and incontinence, which significantly impacts the quality of life. Currently, there is no established gold-standard therapy for LARS. Primary Study Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Paula method of exercise as part of an integrative treatment approach for patients with LARS. Design: This preliminary study utilized a single-arm pretest-posttest design. Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary care medical center. Participants: Five patients diagnosed with LARS completed the study. Intervention: Participants underwent twelve weeks of individualized Paula method exercise sessions. Two questionnaires were employed to assess the severity of LARS and quality of life. Primary Outcome Measures: (1) Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) Score; (2) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Bowel Function Instrument (MSK-BFI); (3) Global Quality-of-Life (QOLS) Score . Results: All participants completing the 12-week Paula exercise regimen reported no difficulty in engaging with the exercises. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both the LARS score and MSK-BFI (P = .039 and P = .043, respectively, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test). While there were improvements in the global quality-of-life score and functional scales of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, these improvements did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that patients with LARS can successfully complete a 12-week exercise program using the Paula method, resulting in improved LARS scores. However, further investigation through larger, multicenter, randomized controlled trials is necessary to establish the efficacy of these exercises as a treatment for LARS.