Date Approved

1997

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

The purpose o f this study was to determine which of three treatment strategies was most effective in the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence (GSI).

Nine females ages 41-86, diagnosed with GSI, were included in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, one received electrical stimulation twice a week for 15 minutes; another received electrical stimulation three times a week for thirty minutes; and a control group receiving no electrical stimulation. All groups received identical instruction in Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises, with the assistance of audio and visual biofeedback. Each treatment was evaluated on five criteria: a stress test, digital manual muscle test of the pelvic floor, periometry measurement of pelvic floor strength, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire score, and Urogential Distress Inventory score.

The data were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis 1-Way ANOVA, which computed a mean rank for each method according to the change it caused in the dependent variables, and a Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient analysis, to reveal any significant relationships among the variables. Although some important relationships did emerge, none of the results of this study were shown to be statistically significant.

Comments

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