Ranjeeta Shijagurumayum Acharya1,2,3, Anne Therese Tveter4,5, Margreth Grotle4,6, Bimika Khadgi7, Ingeborg Hoff Braekken8, Britt Stuge9. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University Dhulikhel Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal. ranjeetashija@gmail.com. 2. Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. ranjeetashija@gmail.com. 3. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. ranjeetashija@gmail.com. 4. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. 5. National Advisory Unit on Rehabilitation in Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 6. FORMI, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 7. Department of Physiotherapy, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University Dhulikhel Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal. 8. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 9. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is internationally recommended for prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). However, there is lack of knowledge about PFMT among pregnant Nepalese women. The objectives of this study were to develop a PFMT programme and to assess the feasibility of the programme. METHODS: A feasibility study was conducted to address aspects of the PFMT programme provided to pregnant women attending antenatal check-ups at Kathmandu University Dhulikhel Hospital. The women were recruited consecutively from June 2017 to April 2018. The PFMT programme consisted of attending a minimum of four supervised PFMT follow-up visits after inclusion to the programme and performing PFMT daily at home. Feasibility was assessed in terms of the recruitment capability, sample characteristics, data collection procedures, outcome measures, and acceptability (attendance to PFMT visits, PFMT adherence, participant experiences) of the programme. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Educational material (video, leaflet, and exercise diary) was developed in Nepali. RESULTS: Among 253 women included, 144 (57%) attended four or more supervised PFMT visits. No significant differences were found in the symptoms of UI (0.89) and POP (0.44) between those attending and those not attending four PFMT visits. Half of the women adhered to 50-100% of PFMT daily at home. The supervised PFMT and the educational material motivated the women to daily PFMT. CONCLUSION: The PFMT programme was acceptable, at least to those living in the district of the study site. The results and experiences from the current study may guide implementation and future studies on the effectiveness of PFMT in Nepal.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is internationally recommended for prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). However, there is lack of knowledge about PFMT among pregnant Nepalese women. The objectives of this study were to develop a PFMT programme and to assess the feasibility of the programme. METHODS: A feasibility study was conducted to address aspects of the PFMT programme provided to pregnant women attending antenatal check-ups at Kathmandu University Dhulikhel Hospital. The women were recruited consecutively from June 2017 to April 2018. The PFMT programme consisted of attending a minimum of four supervised PFMT follow-up visits after inclusion to the programme and performing PFMT daily at home. Feasibility was assessed in terms of the recruitment capability, sample characteristics, data collection procedures, outcome measures, and acceptability (attendance to PFMT visits, PFMT adherence, participant experiences) of the programme. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Educational material (video, leaflet, and exercise diary) was developed in Nepali. RESULTS: Among 253 women included, 144 (57%) attended four or more supervised PFMT visits. No significant differences were found in the symptoms of UI (0.89) and POP (0.44) between those attending and those not attending four PFMT visits. Half of the women adhered to 50-100% of PFMT daily at home. The supervised PFMT and the educational material motivated the women to daily PFMT. CONCLUSION: The PFMT programme was acceptable, at least to those living in the district of the study site. The results and experiences from the current study may guide implementation and future studies on the effectiveness of PFMT in Nepal.
Entities:
Keywords:
Feasibility; Nepal; Pelvic floor muscle training; Pregnant; Women