What is the Journey to Physiotherapy Care for Women over 60 Years with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Scoping Review

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) impacts 20% of adult women with prevalence increasing with age. Physiotherapy is considered first-line care and can greatly improve quality of life for those experiencing symptoms. However, few women over 60 seek professional help. Little is known regarding how this population receives care for their PFD, including if, and when, they are referred to physiotherapy. The aim of this study is to review the current literature on the journey of women over 60 years with PFD to accessing physiotherapy.

A search of electronic databases was completed to inform the scoping review. Articles were included if they were in English and analysed the journey to physiotherapy for women 60 years or over with PFD. Analysis of the studies were completed by reviewers and organised into key themes.

Four articles met inclusion criteria and were included in the scoping review. Four themes were identified: the General Practitioner (GP) as gatekeepers to pelvic care, timely initiation of physiotherapy care, bias towards passive care for women over 60 with PFD and lack of awareness around the benefits of physiotherapy for PFD in women over 60.

Given the limited literature found on this topic it is difficult to draw conclusions about the current pathway to physiotherapy for women over 60 years with PFD. However, the available literature suggests this population is less likely to be referred to physiotherapy and more likely to be prescribed passive care, which differs from international guideline recommendations and younger age groups.