A cognitive therapy approach to promote continence

Both urinary and fecal incontinence are frequently occurring problems with costly consequences - physically, emotionally, and economically. General self-management strategies to promote continence, as well as behavioral and medical interventions, are often advocated. In this article, strategies based on a cognitive model are directed toward 2 overall goals: managing cognitions that are largely outside the individual's control while altering those within the individual's control, and improving management of continence with cognitive techniques. This approach expands and supports the behavioral and medical approaches to continence care. Nurses can use this comprehensive approach to increase the likelihood of positive continence outcomes.