But : Cette étude a comme objectif principal d’évaluer la faisabilité d’utiliser une combinaison de renforcement des muscles du plancher pelvien (MPP) et de réadaptation par la réalité virtuelle (RRV) (programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV) pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire mixte (IUM) de la femme âgée. La faisabilité est évaluée par le taux de participation et d’achèvement du programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV et du programme d’exercices à domicile. Les objectifs secondaires de cette étude sont 1) d’évaluer l’effet du programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV sur la sévérité des symptômes urinaires, sur les dimensions de la qualité de vie, sur la fonction musculaire des MPP et sur les fonctions cognitives, plus précisément le processus exécutif de coordination de deux tâches, 2) d’évaluer, suite à l’intervention, la satisfaction des participantes. Le volet qualitatif a, quant à lui, pour objectif d’identifier les facteurs ayant influencé la participation au programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV ainsi que les avantages et les inconvénients associés à l’ajout de la RRV au traitement conventionnel de renforcement des MPP. Méthode : Les participantes ont effectué deux évaluations pré-traitement (pré-1 et pré-2), ont assisté à 12 classes hebdomadaires d’entraînement MPP/RRV et ont effectué une évaluation post-traitement. Elles ont aussi complété un programme d’exercices des MPP à domicile. Finalement, suite à la dernière classe, elles ont participé à un groupe de discussion. Les évaluations pré-1 et pré-2 ont été effectuées à deux semaines d’intervalle et étaient nécessaires pour s’assurer de la stabilité des mesures en l’absence d’une intervention. Résultats : 24 femmes ont participé à l’étude. Les taux de participation aux classes d’exercices hebdomadaires et au programme d’exercices à domicile étaient de 91 % et de 92 % respectivement. Le taux d’achèvement au programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV était de 96 %. Le programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV s’est avéré efficace dans l’amélioration des symptômes urinaires, de la qualité de vie ainsi que de la capacité à coordonner deux tâches simultanées chez les femmes âgées avec de l’IUM; il tend également à améliorer la fonction musculaire du plancher pelvien de ces femmes. L’appréciation de la composante RRV, par les participantes, était de 9.8/10 et ces dernières l’ont identifiée comme un facilitateur à leur participation hebdomadaire au traitement. Conclusion : Ce projet de maîtrise a permis de démontrer qu’une combinaison de renforcement des MPP et de RRV est une approche de traitement acceptable pour les femmes âgées souffrant d’IUM puisqu’elles sont capables de suivre les exigences de ce programme d’entraînement. / Aims: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a combination of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training and virtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) (PFM/VRR training program) to treat mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) among older women. Feasibility was defined as the participants’ rate of participation and completion of the PFM/VRR training program and of the home exercise program. The other study objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of the PFM/VRR program on MUI symptoms, on quality of life (QoL), on PFM function and on cognitive functions, more precisely on dual-task executive functioning. Patient satisfaction was also assessed after the intervention. The study included a qualitative component aiming to gather information regarding: (1) patient-perceived facilitators and barriers to weekly PFM/VRR class attendance and (2) patient-perceived advantages and inconveniences associated with the use of VRR as a component of conventional PFM rehabilitation. Methods: Every woman participated in two pre-intervention evaluations (pre-1 & pre-2) followed by 12 weeks of a PFM/VRR training program and one post-intervention evaluation (post). Participants were also given a 20-minute static PFM home exercise program. At the end of the twelfth class, a participant group discussion was conducted. The first two evaluations were conducted 2 weeks apart to ensure consistency in the incontinence, PFM and executive functions measures prior to the intervention. Results: 24 women participated in the study. The majority of participants complied with the study demands in terms of attendance to the weekly treatment sessions (91 %), adherence to the home exercise program (92%) and completion of the three (pre-1, pre-2 and post) evaluations (96 %). The PFM/VRR training program was effective in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms, in enhancing QoL, in improving the ability of older women with MUI to manage dual-task situations and tends to improve PFM function of these women. The participant appreciation of the VRR component was 9.8/10 and the VRR component was identified by the participants as a facilitator to their weekly class participation. Conclusion: A combined PFM/VRR is an acceptable functional training approach for older women with MUI as they are capable of complying with treatment program demands.

But : Cette étude a comme objectif principal d’évaluer la faisabilité d’utiliser une combinaison de renforcement des muscles du plancher pelvien (MPP) et de réadaptation par la réalité virtuelle (RRV) (programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV) pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire mixte (IUM) de la femme âgée. La faisabilité est évaluée par le taux de participation et d’achèvement du programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV et du programme d’exercices à domicile. Les objectifs secondaires de cette étude sont 1) d’évaluer l’effet du programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV sur la sévérité des symptômes urinaires, sur les dimensions de la qualité de vie, sur la fonction musculaire des MPP et sur les fonctions cognitives, plus précisément le processus exécutif de coordination de deux tâches, 2) d’évaluer, suite à l’intervention, la satisfaction des participantes. Le volet qualitatif a, quant à lui, pour objectif d’identifier les facteurs ayant influencé la participation au programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV ainsi que les avantages et les inconvénients associés à l’ajout de la RRV au traitement conventionnel de renforcement des MPP. Méthode : Les participantes ont effectué deux évaluations pré-traitement (pré-1 et pré-2), ont assisté à 12 classes hebdomadaires d’entraînement MPP/RRV et ont effectué une évaluation post-traitement. Elles ont aussi complété un programme d’exercices des MPP à domicile. Finalement, suite à la dernière classe, elles ont participé à un groupe de discussion. Les évaluations pré-1 et pré-2 ont été effectuées à deux semaines d’intervalle et étaient nécessaires pour s’assurer de la stabilité des mesures en l’absence d’une intervention. Résultats : 24 femmes ont participé à l’étude. Les taux de participation aux classes d’exercices hebdomadaires et au programme d’exercices à domicile étaient de 91 % et de 92 % respectivement. Le taux d’achèvement au programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV était de 96 %. Le programme d’entraînement MPP/RRV s’est avéré efficace dans l’amélioration des symptômes urinaires, de la qualité de vie ainsi que de la capacité à coordonner deux tâches simultanées chez les femmes âgées avec de l’IUM; il tend également à améliorer la fonction musculaire du plancher pelvien de ces femmes. L’appréciation de la composante RRV, par les participantes, était de 9.8/10 et ces dernières l’ont identifiée comme un facilitateur à leur participation hebdomadaire au traitement. Conclusion : Ce projet de maîtrise a permis de démontrer qu’une combinaison de renforcement des MPP et de RRV est une approche de traitement acceptable pour les femmes âgées souffrant d’IUM puisqu’elles sont capables de suivre les exigences de ce programme d’entraînement. / Aims: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a combination of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training and virtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) (PFM/VRR training program) to treat mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) among older women. Feasibility was defined as the participants’ rate of participation and completion of the PFM/VRR training program and of the home exercise program. The other study objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of the PFM/VRR program on MUI symptoms, on quality of life (QoL), on PFM function and on cognitive functions, more precisely on dual-task executive functioning. Patient satisfaction was also assessed after the intervention. The study included a qualitative component aiming to gather information regarding: (1) patient-perceived facilitators and barriers to weekly PFM/VRR class attendance and (2) patient-perceived advantages and inconveniences associated with the use of VRR as a component of conventional PFM rehabilitation. Methods: Every woman participated in two pre-intervention evaluations (pre-1 & pre-2) followed by 12 weeks of a PFM/VRR training program and one post-intervention evaluation (post). Participants were also given a 20-minute static PFM home exercise program. At the end of the twelfth class, a participant group discussion was conducted. The first two evaluations were conducted 2 weeks apart to ensure consistency in the incontinence, PFM and executive functions measures prior to the intervention. Results: 24 women participated in the study. The majority of participants complied with the study demands in terms of attendance to the weekly treatment sessions (91 %), adherence to the home exercise program (92%) and completion of the three (pre-1, pre-2 and post) evaluations (96 %). The PFM/VRR training program was effective in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms, in enhancing QoL, in improving the ability of older women with MUI to manage dual-task situations and tends to improve PFM function of these women. The participant appreciation of the VRR component was 9.8/10 and the VRR component was identified by the participants as a facilitator to their weekly class participation. Conclusion: A combined PFM/VRR is an acceptable functional training approach for older women with MUI as they are capable of complying with treatment program demands.

INTRODUÇÃO: A Bexiga Hiperativa é uma síndrome de alta prevalência que acomete negativamente a qualidade de vida das mulheres. Os sintomas clínicos se manifestam por urgência miccional, com ou sem incontinência de urgência, frequência e nocturia. O diagnóstico é definido a partir dos sintomas clínicos, sendo o diário miccional um bom instrumento de avaliação. O tratamento fisioterapêutico da bexiga hiperativa tem como opções a eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial ou eletroestimulação vaginal. OBJETIVO: verificar se a adição da eletroestimulação vaginal à eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial é mais eficaz do que somente a eletroestimulação no nervo tibial para o tratamento de mulheres com bexiga hiperativa. MÉTODO: Estudo controlado aleatorizado com 106 mulheres, maiores de 18 anos, com diagnóstico de bexiga hiperativa ou incontinência urinária mista com predomínio dos sintomas de bexiga hiperativa. As pacientes foram distribuídas em dois grupos: Grupo 1: eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial (n=52) e Grupo 2: eletroestimulação vaginal mais eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial (n=54). Ambos os grupos foram orientados quanto à terapia comportamental. Os instrumentos de avaliação utilizados foram: Diário Miccional de três dias, avaliação funcional do assoalho pélvico, King´s Health Questionnaire e Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, todos aplicados por um avaliador cego, antes e após o tratamento que teve duração de 12 semanas, 1x/semana. O desfecho primário foi a frequência urinária em 24 horas. Os desfechos secundários foram os outros sintomas da bexiga hiperativa, o impacto na qualidade de vida e a funcionalidade do assoalho pélvico. RESULTADO: a frequência urinária no grupo 2 diminuiu em 1,5 vezes em relação ao grupo 1. Contudo este resultado não foi clinicamente relevante pois foi inferior a 3 micções. As outras variáveis do diário miccional bem como como o impacto na qualidade de vida, não apresentaram diferenças entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: a adição da eletroestimulação vaginal à eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial não apresentou resultados mais efetivos na melhora dos sintomas ou na qualidade de vida das pacientes com BH / INTRODUCTION: Overactive Bladder is a syndrome with a high prevalence that negatively affects women\'s quality of life. The clinical symptoms are manifested as urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, frequency and nocturia. The diagnosis is defined based on the clinical symptoms, and the voiding diary is a good assessment. The physiotherapeutic treatment of OAB has as treatment\'s options the transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation or vaginal electrical stimulation. OBJECTIVE: to verify if the addition of vaginal electrical stimulation to transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation is more effective than only the electrical stimulation in the tibial nerve for the treatment of women with OAB. METHOD: Randomized controlled trial with 106 women over 18 years old with a diagnosis of overactive bladder or mixed urinary incontinence with predominance of overactive bladder symptoms. The patients were distributed into two groups: Group 1: transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation (n = 52) and Group 2: vaginal electrical stimulation plus transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation (n = 54). Both groups received instructions about behavioral therapy. The assessments used were: Three-day voiding diary, functional evaluation of pelvic floor, King\'s Health Questionnaire and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, all of them applied by a blind evaluator, before and after 12-week treatment, once a week. The primary outcome was urinary frequency in 24 hours. Secondaries outcomes were other overactive bladder symptoms, impact in quality of life, and pelvic floor functionality. RESULTS: urinary frequency in group 2 decreased 1.5 times in relation to group 1. However, this result was not clinically relevant since it was less than 3 mictions. The other variables of voiding diary and impact on quality of life did not present differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of vaginal electrical stimulation to transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation did not present more effective results in the improvement of symptoms or quality of life in patients with overactive bladder

INTRODUÇÃO: A Bexiga Hiperativa é uma síndrome de alta prevalência que acomete negativamente a qualidade de vida das mulheres. Os sintomas clínicos se manifestam por urgência miccional, com ou sem incontinência de urgência, frequência e nocturia. O diagnóstico é definido a partir dos sintomas clínicos, sendo o diário miccional um bom instrumento de avaliação. O tratamento fisioterapêutico da bexiga hiperativa tem como opções a eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial ou eletroestimulação vaginal. OBJETIVO: verificar se a adição da eletroestimulação vaginal à eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial é mais eficaz do que somente a eletroestimulação no nervo tibial para o tratamento de mulheres com bexiga hiperativa. MÉTODO: Estudo controlado aleatorizado com 106 mulheres, maiores de 18 anos, com diagnóstico de bexiga hiperativa ou incontinência urinária mista com predomínio dos sintomas de bexiga hiperativa. As pacientes foram distribuídas em dois grupos: Grupo 1: eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial (n=52) e Grupo 2: eletroestimulação vaginal mais eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial (n=54). Ambos os grupos foram orientados quanto à terapia comportamental. Os instrumentos de avaliação utilizados foram: Diário Miccional de três dias, avaliação funcional do assoalho pélvico, King´s Health Questionnaire e Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, todos aplicados por um avaliador cego, antes e após o tratamento que teve duração de 12 semanas, 1x/semana. O desfecho primário foi a frequência urinária em 24 horas. Os desfechos secundários foram os outros sintomas da bexiga hiperativa, o impacto na qualidade de vida e a funcionalidade do assoalho pélvico. RESULTADO: a frequência urinária no grupo 2 diminuiu em 1,5 vezes em relação ao grupo 1. Contudo este resultado não foi clinicamente relevante pois foi inferior a 3 micções. As outras variáveis do diário miccional bem como como o impacto na qualidade de vida, não apresentaram diferenças entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: a adição da eletroestimulação vaginal à eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial não apresentou resultados mais efetivos na melhora dos sintomas ou na qualidade de vida das pacientes com BH / INTRODUCTION: Overactive Bladder is a syndrome with a high prevalence that negatively affects women\'s quality of life. The clinical symptoms are manifested as urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, frequency and nocturia. The diagnosis is defined based on the clinical symptoms, and the voiding diary is a good assessment. The physiotherapeutic treatment of OAB has as treatment\'s options the transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation or vaginal electrical stimulation. OBJECTIVE: to verify if the addition of vaginal electrical stimulation to transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation is more effective than only the electrical stimulation in the tibial nerve for the treatment of women with OAB. METHOD: Randomized controlled trial with 106 women over 18 years old with a diagnosis of overactive bladder or mixed urinary incontinence with predominance of overactive bladder symptoms. The patients were distributed into two groups: Group 1: transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation (n = 52) and Group 2: vaginal electrical stimulation plus transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation (n = 54). Both groups received instructions about behavioral therapy. The assessments used were: Three-day voiding diary, functional evaluation of pelvic floor, King\'s Health Questionnaire and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, all of them applied by a blind evaluator, before and after 12-week treatment, once a week. The primary outcome was urinary frequency in 24 hours. Secondaries outcomes were other overactive bladder symptoms, impact in quality of life, and pelvic floor functionality. RESULTS: urinary frequency in group 2 decreased 1.5 times in relation to group 1. However, this result was not clinically relevant since it was less than 3 mictions. The other variables of voiding diary and impact on quality of life did not present differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of vaginal electrical stimulation to transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation did not present more effective results in the improvement of symptoms or quality of life in patients with overactive bladder

Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem which affects a high percentage of women. Anti-incontinent surgery has played an important role in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Burch colposuspension was considered a gold standard in anti-incontinence surgery, with good long-term results. However, over the past decade this procedure has been largely replaced by the application of various types of TVTs (tensionfree vaginal tapes). In our study we have focused on comparing developments in the quality of life and the occurrence of complications in a long-term follow-up after TVT, TVT O and colposuspension. For subjective assessment of urinary incontinence we have chosen a validated specialized Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QoL). The aim of our study was to monitor the trends with quality of life after TVT, TVT O and colposuspension procedures and to establish whether the occurrence of complications affects the quality of life (QoL) and compare of the quality of life among anti-incontinence procedures and longterm subjective and objective outcome. Methods: The study included 215 women who underwent a TVT, TVT O or Burch procedure between 1.6.2002 - 31.5.2005. Women were completely urogynecologic examined and urodynamic stress incontinence was documented....

Contexte : Après 65 ans, une femme sur deux souffre d’incontinence urinaire (IU) et de celles-ci, 25% souffrent de symptômes sévères (>10 épisodes/semaine). Une association positive a été établie entre l’IU liée à l’urgence (IUU) ou l’IU mixte (IUM) et les chutes. Cependant, les caractéristiques de force musculaire des membres inférieurs, d’équilibre, de mobilité et de fonction des femmes âgées avec IUU/IUM ont été peu étudiées jusqu’à maintenant. L’objectif principal de cette étude était donc de comparer la force des membres inférieurs, l’équilibre, la mobilité et la fonction chez les femmes âgées présentant ou non de l’IUU/IUM. L’objectif secondaire était de déterminer la relation de ces caractéristiques et la sévérité de l’IU. Méthode : Dans cette étude pilote transversale, 20 femmes avec IUU/IUM ont été appariées à 20 femmes continentes pour l’âge et l’IMC. Les participantes étaient âgées de 65 ans ou plus, vivaient à domicile et étaient capables de se déplacer de façon sécuritaire, sans aide technique. Des questionnaires validés et des tests standardisés ont permis de recueillir de l’information sur les symptômes d’IU (questionnaire ICIQ-UI SF), puis d’évaluer la force musculaire des membres inférieurs (dynamométrie des fléchisseurs et extenseurs des genoux, test du 30-Second Sit-to-Stand), l’équilibre (test d’équilibre unipodal, Four Square Step Test, questionnaire Activities-Specific-Balance-Confidence), la mobilité (10-Meter Walk Test, 6-Minute Walk Test) et la fonction (questionnaire Human Activity Profile, questionnaire SF-12). Résultats : Comparativement aux femmes continentes, les femmes avec IUU/IUM ont présenté des différences significatives au niveau de l’équilibre: temps réduit au test unipodal du côté dominant (p˂0,001) et non-dominant (p˂0,005); score inférieur sur la version adaptée du Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (p=0,01). Les femmes avec IUU/IUM ont également présenté des différences significatives au niveau de la mobilité: vitesse de marche réduite (p=0,01); évaluation de la santé physique moins élevée mesurée à l’aide du SF-12 (p=0,01). Aucune différence n’a été observée entre les groupes quant à la force musculaire des membres inférieurs et la fonction. Aucune association significative n’a été observée entre la sévérité des symptômes d’IU rapportés par les femmes avec IUU/IUM et les mesures de force musculaire des membres inférieurs, d’équilibre, de mobilité et de fonction. Conclusion : Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent des atteintes à l’équilibre et la mobilité chez les femmes âgées avec IUU/IUM. D’autres études sont cependant nécessaires pour confirmer ces résultats. Les études futures sur cette clientèle devraient inclure l’évaluation de groupes musculaires additionnels (i.e. hanches, chevilles). En rapportant les calculs de puissance de tailles d’échantillon, cette étude pilote ouvre la voie à d’autres projets de plus large envergure. / Context : After the age of 65, the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) is one in two women. A positive correlation between falls and urgency UI (UUI) or mixed UI (MUI) has been identified. However, lower-extremity impairments in older women with UUI/MUI have not been thoroughly investigated. The primary goal of this study was to compare lower limb strength, balance, mobility and function in older women with and without UUI/MUI. The secondary goal was to evaluate the association between these measurements and UI severity. Methods : Forty older women with and without UUI/MUI completed standardized tests to gather data on UI symptoms (ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire) lower limb strength (knee flexor/extensor dynamometry, 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test), balance (Single Leg Stance Test, Four Square Step Test, Activities-Specific-Balance-Confidence questionnaire), mobility (10-Meter Walk Test, 6-Minute Walk Test) and function (Human Activity Profile questionnaire, SF-12 questionnaire). Results : Significant differences in balance and mobility were observed between groups. Women with UI had shorter single leg stance times both on the dominant (p˂0.001) and non-dominant (p˂0.005) sides, lower balance confidence scores (p=0.01) and slower gait speeds (p=0.01). Women with UI also reported a significantly lower self-perceived health (p=0.01). No significant differences were observed in knee flexor/extensor strength and in function. No significant correlations were found between the severity of the UI symptoms reported by women with UI in the ICIQ-UI-SF and the measurements of lower limb muscle strength, balance, mobility or function Conclusion : The results from this pilot study suggest balance and mobility impairments in high-functioning older women with UUI/MUI. More studies are needed to confirm these results. By reporting power calculation for sample size, this pilot study provides a useful basis to design and conduct larger studies.

Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem which affects a high percentage of women. Anti-incontinent surgery has played an important role in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Burch colposuspension was considered a gold standard in anti-incontinence surgery, with good long-term results. However, over the past decade this procedure has been largely replaced by the application of various types of TVTs (tensionfree vaginal tapes). In our study we have focused on comparing developments in the quality of life and the occurrence of complications in a long-term follow-up after TVT, TVT O and colposuspension. For subjective assessment of urinary incontinence we have chosen a validated specialized Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QoL). The aim of our study was to monitor the trends with quality of life after TVT, TVT O and colposuspension procedures and to establish whether the occurrence of complications affects the quality of life (QoL) and compare of the quality of life among anti-incontinence procedures and longterm subjective and objective outcome. Methods: The study included 215 women who underwent a TVT, TVT O or Burch procedure between 1.6.2002 - 31.5.2005. Women were completely urogynecologic examined and urodynamic stress incontinence was documented....