Sigrid Tibaek

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in stroke patients: a cross-sectional, clinical survey.

The aims of this study were primarily to investigate the prevalence, severity and impact on daily life of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in a clinical sample of stroke patients and secondly to identify factors associated with LUTS.

Intra- and Interrater Reliability and Agreement of the Danish Version of the Dynamic Gait Index in Older People With Balance Impairments

OBJECTIVES To examine the intrarater and interrater reliability and agreement of the Danish version of the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) in hospitalized and community-dwelling older people with balance impairments. DESIGN Reliability study. SETTING University hospital and outpatient rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of older people (≥65y); 24 subjects from a hospital and 24 from an outpatient rehabilitation center. All subjects had either 1 or more falls within the last year or balance impairments evaluated by a physical therapist. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All subjects carried out the DGI twice with a 1.5-hour interval. Each subject was rated by 3 physical therapists in the first attempt (1 for intrarater and 2 for interrater comparison) and by the intrarater in the second attempt, in both settings. The reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, 2.1), while agreement was calculated as the smallest real difference (SRD). RESULTS The ICC for intrarater and interrater reliability of the total DGI was .90 and .92 at the hospital, while the SRD was 2.72 and 2.58 points, respectively. Correspondingly, the ICC for intrarater and interrater reliability of the total DGI at the rehabilitation center was .89 and .82, while the SRD was 3.49 and 3.99 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The intrarater and interrater reliability of the total DGI ranged from good to excellent in hospitalized and community-dwelling older people. Improvements of 3 and 4 DGI points for hospitalized and community-dwelling older people, respectively, should be regarded as a real change (with a 95% certainty).

Pelvic floor muscle training before transurethral resection of the prostate: A randomized, controlled, blinded study

Objective. To evaluate the effect of preoperative pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in men scheduled for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a randomized, single-blind study. Material and methods. Fifty-eight men with benign prostatic obstruction were included, and 49 completed the study (training group, n=26; control group, n=23). The preoperative training included a 1-h individual lesson, three 1-h group lessons and a home training programme. Postoperatively and before discharge from hospital both groups received verbal instructions regarding PFMT. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed by anal examination before and 4 weeks after surgery by one physiotherapist who was blinded to the randomization. The primary outcome parameter was the total score on the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures were other subjective and objective voiding and incontinence parameters and four tests of the pelvic floor muscle: function; strength; static endurance; and dynamic endurance. Results. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Improved static endurance occurred in the training group but not in the control group (p=0.004). Regarding dynamic endurance, a difference in favour of training developed between the groups (p=0.049). Many men produced results that were outside the test scales. At follow-up at 2 and 4 weeks and 3 months there were no differences between the groups in any of the lower urinary tract parameters. Conclusions. Preoperative PFMT produced a significant improvement in pelvic floor muscle endurance after TURP, but clinically relevant storage or voiding improvements did not occur. Pelvic floor muscle assessment tests need to be sex-specific.

Validity of the Danish Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire in stroke.

Objective –  To determine the content and face validity of the Danish Prostate Symptom Score (DAN‐PSS‐1) questionnaire in stroke patients.

Is there a long-lasting effect of pelvic floor muscle training in women with urinary incontinence after ischemic stroke?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in women with urinary incontinence after stroke measured by quality of life parameters. Twenty-four (24/24) women with urinary incontinence after stroke, who had completed a prospective, randomised controlled and single-blinded trial evaluating the effect of 12 weeks PFMT, were included in this follow-up study. The follow-up assessments were done by telephone interview 6 months after the intervention. The effect was evaluated by The Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). Twenty-four subjects completed the study. In the treatment group, the SF-36 showed a trend to a long-lasting effect in one of the eight domains and the IIQ showed a tendency to decreased impact of UI in two sub-scales compared to the control group. Our data indicated that PFMT may have a long-lasting effect measured by quality of life parameters.

Are activity limitations associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in stroke patients? A cross-sectional, clinical survey

Objective. To assess self-reported activity limitations in a clinical sample of stroke patients and to identify their association with prevalence, severity and impact on daily life of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Material and methods. A cross-sectional, clinical survey was initiated whereby stroke patients were invited to complete four activity limitations measurements: Barthel Index, mobility velocity, mobility distance, mobility aids and one LUTS measurement: the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire. Of 519 stroke patients, 482 subjects were eligible. Results. The response rate was 84%. The activity limitations were reported by 17–34% depending on the measurement. Mobility velocity was highly significantly associated (p=0.01) with severity of LUTS. In the LUTS incontinence symptom group, Barthel Index and mobility velocity were significantly associated with prevalence [p=0.03, odds ratio (OR) 2.08 and p=0.05, OR 1.87, respectively]. Barthel Index and mobility distance were al...

Is well-being associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with stroke?

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to assess self-reported well-being in a clinical sample of stroke patients and to identify possible associations with prevalence, severity and bother of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Material and methods. A cross-sectional, clinical survey was initiated whereby stroke patients were invited to complete The WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and a LUTS instrument, the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire. Of 519 stroke patients invited, 482 subjects were eligible and 407 (84%) respondents answered the questionnaires. Results. Poor well-being (sum score <13) was reported by 22% of all stroke patients, for women 29% and for men 14%. Depression (sum score <8) was reported by 10%, for women 11% and for men 8%. Poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with severity and bother of LUTS. Likewise, poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the prevalence of four different symptom groups of LUTS. Conclusions. The results indicate that poor well-being is present in stroke patients with LUTS, especially in women. Likewise, the data showed significant association between poor well-being and LUTS. Screening for well-being and LUTS in stroke patients is strongly recommended.

Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Effective for Men With Poststroke Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms? A Single-Blinded Randomized, Controlled Trial

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training in men with poststroke lower urinary tract symptoms. Thirty-one poststroke men, median age 68 years, were included in this single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Thirty participants, 15 in each group, completed the study. The intervention consisted of 3 months (12 weekly sessions) of pelvic floor muscle training in groups and home exercises. The effect was evaluated by the DAN-PSS-1 (Danish Prostate Symptom Score) questionnaire, a voiding diary, and digital anal palpation of the pelvic floor muscle. The DAN-PSS-1, symptom score indicated a statistical significant improvement (p < .01) in the treatment group from pretest to posttest, but not in the control group. The DAN-PSS-1, total score improved statistically significantly in both groups from pretest to posttest (treatment group: p < .01; control group: p = .03). The median voiding frequency per 24 hours decreased from 11 at pretest to 7 (36%; p = .04) at posttest and to 8 (27%; p = .02) at follow-up in treatment group, although not statistical significantly more than the control group. The treatment group but not the control group improved statistically significantly in pelvic floor muscle function (p < .01) and strength (p < .01) from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up (p = .03; p < .01). Compared with the control group the pretest to posttest was significantly better in the treatment group (p = .03). The results indicate that pelvic floor muscle training has an effect for lower urinary tract symptoms, although statistical significance was only seen for pelvic floor muscle.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on sexual function in men with lower urinary tract symptoms after stroke

Abstract Background: Erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common sequelae in men after stroke. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on measured erectile function as an indicator of sexuality in men with LUTS after stroke. Method: A sample of 516 men with stroke was invited to participate in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial according to in- and exclusion criteria. This resulted in 31 participants who were randomized to either a Treatment Group (n = 16) or a Control Group (n = 15). The intervention included 12♣weeks of PFMT. The effect was measured on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Results: Thirty participants (median age: 68 years; interquartile range: 60–74 years) completed the study, 15 in each group. The results of the IIEF-5 sum score showed a significant improvement (P < 0.04) from pre-test to post-test in the Treatment Group, but not in the Control Group. Within pre-test and 6-month follow-up, the median sum score decreased in both groups, worsened in the Control Group [Treatment Group, 3 (17%) versus Control Group, 5 (31%)]. There were differences between the groups at post-test and at follow-up, but they were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results showed that, as measured by erectile function in men with LUTS after stroke, PFMT may have short-term and long-term effect, although no statistically significant effect was demonstrated between the groups.

Does progressive resistance strength training as additional training have any measured effect on functional outcomes in older hospitalized patients? A single-blinded randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of progressive resistance strength training as additional training measured on functional outcomes in older hospitalized patients. Design: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation in university hospital. Participants: A sample of 71 patients were successively included and randomized either to the treatment group (TG) (n = 36) or the control group (CG) (n = 35). Fifteen participants dropped out (TG n = 7; CG n = 8), leaving 56 participants with a mean age of 79 (SD 7). Intervention: Participants in the treatment group were treated in groups with progressive resistance strength training in addition to standard care. Progressive resistance strength training of the lower extremities was performed in three sets of 12–15 repetitions, intensity 60–70% of one repetition maximum, in four 50-minute sessions per week. Main measures: The effect was evaluated by timed up & go test, 30-second chair-stand test, 10-m walk test, three tasks (transfer, walking, stairs) of the Barthel Index, and use of walking aids. Results: Significant improvements in the 10-m walk test (P < 0.01) and Barthel Index (walking) (P = 0.01) were demonstrated within the treatment group but not in the control group. Both groups had significant improvements in timed up & go, 30-second chair-stand (modified) and Barthel Index (transfer and walking). No significant difference was found between groups except for the Barthel Index (stairs) (P = 0.05). Analysis by the mixed-effects model showed that the treatment group improved more than the control group in all outcome variables. Conclusion: The results indicate that for older hospitalized patients progressive resistance strength training as additional training may have an effect compared to standard care, but no statistically significant effects were demonstrated when measured by functional outcomes.