AUTHOR=Brosina de Leon Elisa , Cardoso Maria Natália , de Brito Elorides , dos Santos Maira Mendes , Almeida Fabio Araujo TITLE=The development of a physical therapy service to treat urinary incontinence: Results of a RE-AIM evaluation JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health VOLUME=3 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.1004140 DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2022.1004140 ISSN=2673-5059 ABSTRACT=Background

A conservative physiotherapy service development addressed to treat urinary incontinence for older women was studied using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework.

Design

We conducted a pragmatic case study design based on RE-AIM.

Settings/participants

Included women ≥ 60 years of age, with self-reported UI symptoms.

Results

A total of 34 older women were enrolled in the service with a mean age of 61.53 years. There was a significant improvement in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, power, endurance, and fast contraction capacity after the intervention, however, it was observed a high dropout rate. Program implementation was supported by Physical Therapy teams who engaged in care coordination. The program has been maintained for over 4 years.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that UI patients would benefit from physiotherapy treatment and that this intervention is feasible. This RE-AIM evaluation provides lessons learned and strategies for future adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a Physical Therapy pelvic service.