The Comparative Effectiveness Between Verbal and Biofeedback-Assisted Instruction of a Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Program in Managing Female Incontinence
Chuan-Hisu Tsai
Tzu-Chi College of Technology Department of Nursing

　　Aim of Study: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a pelvic floor muscle training(PFMT) program in Taiwanese middle age and older women with urinary incontinence (UI), with a specific focus on comparing the effects of verbal and biofeedback-assisted instruction.

　　Method: A prospective randomized trial was conducted to examine the effects of two different instruction methods on UI frequency and subjects’ adherence were examined. The verbal instruction group received 8 verbal instruction sessions, while the biofeedback-assisted exercise group was taught pelvic floor muscle exercise through 8 weekly perineal electromyography-assisted instruction sessions. Nonparametric tests was used to analyze the data. The main outcome variables included %reduction of UI and self-report exercise adherence.

　　Results: 98 subjects were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 69 subjects completed the treatment protocol. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the severity or type of UI or in demographic and health-related characteristics. After the 8-week intervention, both groups demonstrated significant decreases in UI frequency (p<0.001). The biofeedback-assisted instruction group performed significantly better percent reduction (85% vs 58%) than the verbal instruction group (p<0.01). Secondary, 47% of the subjects assigned to the verbal intervention dropped out of the study in contrast to a dropout rate of only 12% among those

randomized to the biofeedback group. Lastly, self-report PFMR adherence of the biofeedback instruction group was significantly higher than the verbal instruction group (p< .001).

　　

　　Conclusion: Both verbal and biofeedback-assisted instructions were comparative effective in managing female UI. However, the the biofeedback-assisted instruction group demonstrated a significantly higher exercise adherence and less drop-out from the program.