Outcomes of a small group educational intervention for urinary incontinence: Episodes of incontinence and other urinary symptoms

Objectives: This community-based intervention to reduce urinary incontinenc e (UI) in elderly women used a small group educational approach. This artic le reports on change in episodes of incontinence and other urinary symptoms . Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait cont rol condition. This article is restricted to 49 intervention and 59 control participants with acceptable diaries. Results: There was a significant tre atment effect for a number of incontinent episodes. In the intervention gro up, 61% had a 50% or greater reduction in episodes, with more than one thir d having 100% reduction; 38% of the control soup had a reduction of 50% or greater. One year postprogram, 75% of treated women reported subjective imp rovement. There was a reduction in frequency of daily, but not nocturnal, m icturition. Discussion: This community-based intervention is an encouraging option for behavioral treatment of UI. Public health models may be particu larly appropriate with moderate levels of urinary incontinence.