A pelvic floor fitness program for older women with urinary symptoms: a feasibility study

To determine the feasibility of an adapted pelvic fitness and educational program to control urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women older than 65 years.

Feasibility study.

Residential independent-living facilities.

Forty-three study subjects, limited to women 65 years and older residing in or using an independent-living facility, who self-reported that they had symptoms of UI or OAB.

Study participants volunteered to participate in a 6-week pelvic fitness class. Classes were held at 3 different independent-living sites. Forty-three women in 4 different treatment groups with 9-15 women per group completed the adapted group pelvic fitness and education instruction, which was provided twice a week for 6 weeks. At one site, in addition to the treatment group, an education-only group met; in this group, 14 women received an alternate intervention consisting of only one educational session and a booklet presenting the didactic content without specific muscle isolation or training.

In addition to demographics, standardized assessments using validated instruments were obtained before the first class and after the last class, including general health, self-reported bladder function, quality of life, and the timed up-and-go test.

Most participants (97%) were white, with a mean age of 83 years (range, 67-95 years). Most participants in the treatment groups (83%) reported symptom improvement. Statistically significant improvements in OAB and bladder symptoms were found after 6 weeks in the treatment groups, based on visual analog scale scores (P = .0058) for bothersomeness of bladder symptoms, the total score of the Urogenital Distress Inventory, Short Form (P ≤ .0001), and the total score of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (P = .0036).

A group pelvic floor fitness program combined with pelvic health education is a promising approach to reduce urinary symptoms and improve the quality of life of older women living with OAB or UI symptoms.