Attitudes and barriers to pelvic floor muscle exercises of women with stress urinary incontinence
Issued Date
2022-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
14726874
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85142654069
Pubmed ID
36435776
Journal Title
BMC Women's Health
Volume
22
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Women's Health Vol.22 No.1 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Sawettikamporn W., Sarit-apirak S., Manonai J. Attitudes and barriers to pelvic floor muscle exercises of women with stress urinary incontinence. BMC Women's Health Vol.22 No.1 (2022). doi:10.1186/s12905-022-02067-4 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87166
Title
Attitudes and barriers to pelvic floor muscle exercises of women with stress urinary incontinence
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) is a first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but adherence to PFME is often problematic. The aim of this study was to better understand the attitudes and barriers to practicing pelvic floor muscle exercise among women with SUI. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to approach eligible participants. The interview included questions focused on women’s perceptions regarding SUI and PFME, sources of information, support, and barriers and motivators of PFME. In-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation occurred. After several readings of written interview transcripts, codes were retrieved, and thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Seven women participated in the study (average age 53.2 years), and most (4/7) were retired. Three salient themes emerged from the data: (1) perception of SUI, (2) barriers to PFME, and (3) motivators to exercise. Participants highlighted various barriers to PFME: (1) lack of self-discipline owing to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, (2) lack of confidence in how to perform the exercises properly, and (3) skepticism regarding the efficacy of treatment according to women’s direct and indirect experiences. Achievement of desired outcomes, symptom severity, women’s expectations, and fear of surgery were motivators to regularly perform PFME. Conclusions: The main barriers to regular PFME were inadequate self-discipline, knowledge, and confidence in performing the exercises, and a poor perception about the effectiveness of PFME.