21 Jun Physiotherapy for Incontinence More Successful When Combined With Motivational Support

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Prof. Phil Reed

Professor Phil Reed
Department of Psychology
Swansea University
Swansea,U.K
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How common is the problem of incontinence in women?

Dr. Reed: Incontinence is an enormous and under-discussed issue for women’s health – it affects around 25% of adult females, and this can rise to 50-60% after childbirth or in those over 60 years old. This condition is affected by many other factors – such as smoking and obesity – and it can be very common for individuals who are living in poor economic circumstances. Many women with continence problems also show signs of depression and anxiety – perhaps not surprisingly – and these factors can reduce their motivation to engage with physiotherapy treatment for incontinence. This is a great pity, because physiotherapy is a very effective treatment for this problem, and it can be safer (and cheaper) than surgery. So finding ways to support women as they undertake physiotherapy is really important for them and to publically health services.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Dr. Reed: Our findings show that a simple and easily-deliverable motivational support programme, that is given alongside the physiotherapy treatment, improves patient attendance at all of their physiotherapy sessions from about 50% to 80%, for women with moderate levels of depression and anxiety. Getting that many extra patients to attend their physiotherapy sessions would have huge implications for incontinence recovery, and also for the ways in which women are supported when they are seeking help for this problem.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Dr. Reed: The key take-home message is that physiotherapy for incontinence is effective, but when it is combined with treating the whole patient – taking into account their psychological worries and concerns – it gets even more effective. The types of psychological support that we have developed and tested are easy to administer – involving fairly simple motivational interviewing techniques, focusing on patient health values – and these could be integrated into most physiotherapy services.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Incontinence is a major problem for world health services – more people need to discuss this issue, and more needs to be done to encourage women to seek treatment for what can be a really debilitating condition that has serious effects on their quality of life. Giving those women the confidence to seek help and engage with their treatment is key to how we can improve service provision for this condition.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

“Randomized control trial of a values-based motivational interview support to promote attendance at pelvic floor muscle training physiotherapy treatment” is authored by: L. A. Osborne & C. M. Whittall Women’s Health Physiotherapy, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, UK; D. J. Edwards Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea; R. Emanuel1 & S. Emery2 1Physiotherapy and 2Gynaecology/Urogynaecology, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, UK; P. Reed Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK. The paper will be published in the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy in the autumn.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com

[wysija_form id=”5″]

Last Updated on June 21, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD