Pelvic floor muscle training delivered via telehealth to treat urinary and/or faecal incontinence after gynaecological cancer surgery: a single cohort feasibility study

Brennen, R; Soh, SE; Denehy, L; Lin, KY; Jobling, T; McNally, OM; Hyde, S; Kruger, J; Frawley, H

Author(s): Brennen, R; Soh, SE; Denehy, L; Lin, KY; Jobling, T; McNally, OM; Hyde, S; Kruger, J; Frawley, H;
Details: Publication Year 2023-09-23,Volume 31,Issue #10,Page 589
Journal Title: Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of telehealth-delivered pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for urinary incontinence (UI) and/or faecal incontinence (FI) after gynaecological cancer surgery. METHODS: In this pre-post cohort clinical trial, patients with incontinence after gynaecological cancer surgery underwent a 12-week physiotherapist-supervised telehealth-delivered PFMT program. The intervention involved seven videoconference sessions with real-time feedback from an intra-vaginal biofeedback device and a daily home PFMT program. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, engagement and adherence rates. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and a 3-month post-intervention using International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaires for UI (ICIQ-UI-SF) and Bowel function (ICIQ-B) and the intra-vaginal biofeedback device. Means and 95%CIs for all time points were analysed using bootstrapping methods. RESULTS: Of the 63 eligible patients, 39 (62%) consented to the study. Three participants did not complete baseline assessment and were not enrolled in the trial. Of the 36 participants who were enrolled, 32 (89%) received the intervention. Retention was 89% (n=32/36). The majority of participants (n=30, 94%) demonstrated high engagement, attending at least six videoconference sessions. Adherence to the daily PFMT program was moderate, with 24 participants (75%) completing five-to-seven PFMT sessions per week during the intervention. All clinical outcomes improved immediately post-intervention; however, the magnitude of these improvements was small. CONCLUSION: Telehealth-delivered PFMT may be feasible to treat incontinence after gynaecological cancer surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: ACTRN12621000880842).
Publisher: Springer Nature
Keywords: Female; Humans; Feasibility Studies; *Fecal Incontinence/etiology/therapy; Pelvic Floor; *Neoplasms; *Telemedicine; Biofeedback; Faecal incontinence; Gynaecological cancer; Pelvic floor muscle training; Telehealth; Urinary incontinence
Department(s): Health Services Research
PubMed ID: 37740820
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08050-5
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08050-5
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-11-14 03:57:55

Last Modified: 2023-11-14 03:58:49