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Urinary Incontinence Amongst Women With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Urinary Incontinence
Interventions
Procedure: Cough-suppression therapy
Procedure: Pelvic floor muscle training
Other: Control
Registration Number
NCT02614105
Lead Sponsor
Ostfold Hospital Trust
Brief Summary

The primary aim of the study is to investigate whether pelvic floor muscle training or cough-suppression therapy reduces symptoms of urinary incontinence amongst women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease grade 1-4 (mild to very severe disease).

Detailed Description

This two-centre study will consist of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a parallel group design and include two intervention groups and one control group. Recruitment and data collection will occur simultaneously at the ØHT and St. Olav's Hospital in Trondheim.

All participants will complete an initial four week general group exercise class (1 hour once a week) prior to randomisation. This intervention will focus on strength exercises (lower limb and upper limb), endurance training, balance training and thorax mobilising exercises. All participants will be examined and complete questionnaires at two occasions; after the initial four weeks general exercise/before intervention, and at 16 weeks post-randomisation.

Participants will be randomised to either Intervention group A (pelvic floor muscle training group), Intervention group B (cough-suppression group) or a control group who will receive brief written information about pelvic floor muscle training and cough-suppression, but no other form of regular follow-up or intervention throughout the intervention period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
35
Inclusion Criteria
  • COPD grade 1-4
  • Subjective urinary incontinence
  • Ability to perform an active contraction of the pelvic floor muscles
Exclusion Criteria
  • Unstable COPD
  • More than 4 hospital admissions due to COPD in the past twelve months
  • Neurological conditions
  • Previous gynecological surgery

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cough-suppressionCough-suppression therapyParticipants in the cough-suppression group will receive a group education session with general information about cough-suppression therapy and advice about how to distinguish between unproductive and productive cough to enable them to perform airway clearance techniques when required. In addition, participants will receive one to two individual sessions (30-60 minutes) of cough-suppression therapy tailored to the individual needs based on symptoms and underlying disease activity
Pelvic floor muscle trainingPelvic floor muscle trainingParticipants in the pelvic floor muscle training group will receive group exercise sessions (1 hour) at the physiotherapy out-patient department of the hospital once a week for 16 weeks with guidance from an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist. The group exercise sessions will focus on pelvic floor muscle training, relaxation and breathing techniques. Participants in the pelvic floor muscle training group will also receive an individually adapted pelvic floor muscle training program for daily home use.
Control groupControlParticipants in the group will receive guidance and instruction in terms of correct contraction of the pelvic floor muscles at clinical assessment. Control group participants will receive brief written information about pelvic floor muscle training and cough-suppression therapy, but no other form of regular follow-up or intervention throughout the intervention period.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short form (ICIQ_SF)Change from baseline score at 16 weeks

Participants in the group will receive guidance and instruction in terms of correct contraction of the pelvic floor muscles at clinical assessment. Control group participants will receive brief written information about pelvic floor muscle training and cough-suppression therapy, but no other form of regular follow-up or intervention throughout the intervention period.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease symptomsChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

A subjective evaluation of their Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease symptoms (including cough) using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). CAT is a disease-specific questionnaire which measures subjective symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Self-reported function and quality of lifeChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

COOP/WONCA is quick and easy to complete and has demonstrated good validity and reliability both in Norwegian and in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease population

Voluntary pelvic floor muscle functionChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

Voluntary pelvic floor muscle function will be evaluated using digital palpation and scored on a 1-4 scale according to the International Continence Society Score.

Cough symptomsChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

Cough symptoms will be measured using the Norwegian version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, which is in the process of being translated from English to Norwegian and tested for reliability and validity. The Leicester Cough Questionnaire is used to measure physical, psychological and social factors related to cough

Pelvic floor muscle strengthChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

Pelvic floor muscle strength will be measured using Peritron.

Field walking testChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

Participants will also perform the six-minute walk test at inclusion and after the intervention to explore whether the intervention results in a change in general physical capacity.

Physical activityChange from baseline score at 16 weeks

Physical activity will be measured using an activity monitor (pedometer) which the participants will wear throughout the whole intervention period to investigate whether a change in urinary incontinence affects physical activity

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

St Olavs Hospital

🇳🇴

Trondheim, Norway

Østfold Hospital Trust

🇳🇴

Moss, Østfold, Norway

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