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. 2020 May;31(5):917-931.
doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04251-2. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Physiotherapy assessment for female urinary incontinence

B Berghmans  1 , M R Seleme  2   3 , A T M Bernards  4
Affiliations

Physiotherapy assessment for female urinary incontinence

B Berghmans et al. Int Urogynecol J. 2020 May.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: As noted in the 6th International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI) chapter "Initial Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women" recommendations call for including physiotherapy as a first-line therapy.

Methods: Building on this, checking available scientific evidence and using the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health, the following represents a holistic physiotherapist approach for initial evaluation of the health problem of urinary incontinence.

Results: This paper proposes a teaching module for every relevant health care professional dealing with the assessment of adult female urinary incontinence, focusing on optimal patient selection and appropriate treatment choice.

Conclusion: The assessment stage involves the explicit decision as to whether "physiotherapy" is the treatment indicated for the patient, based on the findings of the physiotherapy assessment and supplemented by any medical information that accompanied the referral and evaluation.

Keywords: (Pelvic) Physiotherapy; Assessment; Diagnostic; Female; Initial management; Psychometric measurement; Urinary incontinence.

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Conflict of interest statement

All the other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Urgency questionnaire
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pelvic floor muscle functional assessment. UI urinary incontinence, FI fecal incontinence
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Interpretation scores: pelvic floor muscle functional assessment form. PFM pelvic floor muscles, VAS visual analog scale, UI urinary incontinence, FI fecal incontinence
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Interpretation scores: pelvic floor muscle functional assessment form. PFM pelvic floor muscles, VAS visual analog scale, UI urinary incontinence, FI fecal incontinence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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