Effect of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program for Community Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Retrospect Cohort Study

Abstract

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem affecting older adult women globally, but studies regarding combined treatments for all types of UI are still lacking. Here we evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for women with UI. A comprehensive rehabilitation program was introduced that combines pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises, functional electrical stimulation, and timely biofeedback during the training process. Data of patients with stress (SUI), urgency (UUI), or mixed (MUI) urinary incontinence who participated in this program between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Seventy-three subjects (mean age 59.2 ± 12.7 years) were enrolled. After 12 weeks of rehabilitation, vaginal pressure and control accuracy increased in all groups. PFM maximum recruitment increased significantly at week 12 in SUI and UUI, but not in MUI. At week 6, only the SUI group had achieved significant improvements in vaginal pressure, PFM maximum recruitment and control accuracy. The Short-form Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) scores declined dramatically after the program started, and significant improvements were maintained to week 48. The comprehensive rehabilitation program is effective and decreases urinary leakage episodes and improves quality of life in women with UI, especially SUI.