Outcomes of a Small Group Educational Intervention for Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVES: This community-based intervention to reduce urinary incontinence (UI) in elderly women used a small group educational approach. This article reports on change in episodes of incontinence and other urinary symptoms. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait control condition. This article is restricted to 49 intervention and 59 control participants with acceptable diaries. RESULTS: There was a significant treatment effect for a number of incontinent episodes. In the intervention group, 61% had a 50% or greater reduction in episodes, with more than one third having 100% reduction; 38% of the control group had a reduction of 50% or greater. One year postprogram, 75% of treated women reported subjective improvement. There was a reduction in frequency of daily, but not nocturnal, micturition. DISCUSSION: This community-based intervention is an encouraging option for behavioral treatment of UI. Public health models may be particularly appropriate with moderate levels of urinary incontinence.