Characteristics of Patients Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation for Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction

BackgroundPelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of individuals, especially women.ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were: (1) to describe the characteristics of individuals with disorders associated with PFD who were seeking outpatient physical therapy services and (2) to identify the prevalence of specific pelvic-floor disorders in the group.DesignThis was a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of 2,452 patients (mean age=50 years, SD=16, range=18–91) being treated in 109 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 26 states (United States) for their PFD.MethodsThis study examined patient demographic variables and summarized patient self-reported responses to questions related to urinary and bowel functioning at admission prior to receiving the therapy for their PFD disorders.ResultsPatients primarily were female (92%), were under 65 years of age (39%: 18 to <45 years; 39%: 45 to <65 years; 21%: 65 years or older), and had chronic symptoms (74%). Overall, 67% of the patients reported that they had urinary problems, 27% reported bowel problems, and 39% had pelvic pain. Among those who had urinary or bowel disorders, 32% and 54% reported leakage and constipation, respectively, as their only problem. Among patients who had pelvic pain, most (56%) reported that the pain was in the abdominal area. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders occurred in 31% of the patients.LimitationsBecause this study was a secondary analysis of data collected prospectively, the researchers were not in control of the data collection procedure. Missing data were common.ConclusionsData suggested most patients with PFD receiving outpatient physical therapy services were female, younger than 65 years, and had disorders lasting for more than 90 days. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders were not uncommon.

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Psychometric Properties and Practicability of the Self-Report Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire in Patients With Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20120134 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 93 (8) ◽

pp. 1116-1129 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ying-Chih Wang ◽

Dennis L. Hart ◽

Daniel Deutscher ◽

Sheng-Che Yen ◽

Jerome E. Mioduski

Keyword(s):

Urinary Incontinence ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Pelvic Floor ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction ◽

Outpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Local Independence ◽

Therapy Services ◽

Urine Leakage ◽

Discriminating Ability

BackgroundPelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of individuals, mostly women. In responding to the demands in measuring PFD outcomes in outpatient rehabilitation, the Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (UIQ) was developed by FOTO in collaboration with an experienced physical therapist who has a specialty in treating patients with PFD.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties and practicability of the 21-item UIQ in patients seeking outpatient physical therapy services due to PFD.DesignThis was a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from 1,628 patients (mean age=53 years, SD=16, range=18–91) being treated for their PFD in 91 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 24 states (United States).MethodsUsing a 2-parameter logistic item response theory (IRT) procedure and the graded response model, the UIQ was assessed for unidimensionality and local independence, differential item functioning (DIF), discriminating ability, item hierarchical structure, and test precision.ResultsFour items were dropped to improve unidimensionality and discriminating ability. Remaining UIQ items met IRT assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence. One item was adjusted for DIF by age group. Item difficulties were suitable for patients with PFD with no ceiling or floor effect. Item difficulty parameters ranged from −2.20 to 0.39 logits. Endorsed items representing highest difficulty levels were related to control urine flow, impact of leaking urine on life, and confidence to control the urine leakage problem. Item discrimination parameters ranged from 0.48 to 1.18. Items with higher discriminating abilities were those related to impact on life of leaking urine, confidence to control the urine leakage problem, and the number of protective garments for urine leakage.LimitationsBecause this study was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data, missing data might have influenced our results.ConclusionsPreliminary analyses supported sound psychometric properties of the UIQ items and their initial use for patients with PFD in outpatient physical therapy services.

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Use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physical therapy services: A scoping review of published and emerging evidence

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x19854647 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 581-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephanie Horsley ◽

Gunnar Schock ◽

Stacey L Grona ◽

Kara Montieth ◽

Bryttnee Mowat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Real Time ◽

English Language ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Therapy Assessment ◽

Process Outcomes ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Therapy Services ◽

Videoconferencing Technology ◽

Physical Therapy Services

Introduction Telehealth may be a viable means to deliver physical therapy services across a range of practice settings and health conditions; however, there is limited uptake of telehealth in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to examine and describe trends, gaps and opportunities in published and emerging evidence regarding the use of real-time videoconferencing to deliver physical therapy services. Methods Four databases and three trial registries were searched using terms for physical therapy and telehealth. Inclusion criteria were primary studies, systematic reviews and published trial registries that had the following features: physical therapy assessment and/or treatment, real-time videoconferencing and English language. Title/abstract, full text screening and data extraction were completed by pairs of independent reviewers. Descriptive statistics stratified by published research and trial registry records were used to summarize study characteristics. Results A total of 100 studies (80 published and 20 trial registries) were included. Australia, Canada and the US have the highest proportion of published and emerging research (63%). The majority of conditions studied were musculoskeletal (42%). Computers were the most common videoconferencing technology used (31%) and only 14% of studies reported using a secure platform. The majority of studies examined health outcomes (64%) and process outcomes (65%), while only 32% reported system outcomes. Discussion Research in the field of telehealth and physical therapy is growing and becoming increasingly diverse with the advancements in technology.

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