Factors that predict non-adherence to pelvic floor muscle exercise

Abstract EN

Characteristics associated with non-adherence to behavioral therapy in women with urinary incontinence are poorly understood.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the factors that predict non-adherence to pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME).

Secondary analysis was conducted utilizing baseline and longitudinal data that were collected during the treatment phases of two randomized clinical trials.

One hundred eighty-two women were eligible for the current study.

Subjects from the parent studies were included in this study if they: 1) were female, 2) 60 years of age or older.

3) completed the behavioral therapy, and 4) were cognitively intact (MMSE≥ 24).

Using binary logistic regression, two variables were significantly associated with non-adherence to PFME χ2model [2] = 9.25, p = .06).

In this model, depressive symptoms [OR= 0.86, 95 % CI = (0.75, 0.99), p=.03)] and UI severity (OR = 3.01, 95 % CI = (1.17, 7.77), p = .02) were risk factors for non-adherence.

More depressed symptoms and fewer urinary accidents at baseline increased the likelihood that subjects would be non-adherent to the PFME.

This model demonstrated a good fit to the data χ2 H-L [8] = 8.53, p = .38) and was able to correctly classify 87.8 % of the women.

Findings suggest that healthcare providers should screen persons with UI for depressive symptoms prior to teaching them behavioral therapies to enhance adherence to PFM exercise.

Future research should use multiple measure of efficacy when examination characteristics associated with response to PFME training.