Avaliação da qualidade de vida antes e depois de tratamento fisioterapêutico para incontinência urinária

TLDR: In this article, the influence of physical therapy intervention on the quality of life (QoL) of women with urinary incontinence (UI) and its effectiveness for urinary loss was analyzed.

Abstract: This quasi experimental study analyzed the influence of a physical therapy intervention on the quality of life (QoL) of women with urinary incontinence (UI) and its effectiveness for urinary loss. Took part in this study 55 women (35 to 87 years) with a clinical diagnosis of UI who underwent an anamnesis and had the function of their pelvic floor muscles (PFMF; bidigital test) and their QoL measured (King's Health Questionnaire - KHQ). Up to 15 weekly sessions were carried out with endovaginal electrical stimulation and perineal exercises. Once the participants reported not losing urine or expressed the desire to stop the treatment, it was terminated, regardless of the number of sessions undertaken. After treatment, the bidigital test and the KHQ were repeated and the participants were asked if they considered themselves to be continent, satisfied with the treatment or not improved. Most participants were aged between 51 and 60 years, underwent vaginal delivery with episiotomy and had prolapse. Most had mixed UI, followed by stress UI. The situations when the urinary loss most commonly occurred were coughing and sneezing, which happened mostly in jets. There was a significant improvement in all of the KHQ domains, except the general health perception. After the intervention, 90.9% of the women said that they were continent or satisfied with the treatment. The physical therapy intervention resulted in improved QoL and it was effective for containing the urinary loss.