Patient Evaluation of Treatment of Pelvic-floor Muscle Dysfunction.
Pelvic floor problems are common in women and can cause issues like bladder leaks or pain. Physiotherapy is the main treatment, but sometimes women don't attend their appointments, which can make things worse. This study at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, wants to understand what helps women get better and why some women don't keep their appointments. We'll look at different factors from their health records and also talk to some women about their experiences. The aim is to find ways to make support and treatment better for everyone living with pelvic floor issues.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many women experience problems with their pelvic floor muscles. These problems can lead to difficulties like leaking urine or stool, pain in the pelvic area, or discomfort during sex. We know that these issues can make daily life quite hard and sometimes lead to feelings of sadness or worry. The good news is that women's health physiotherapy is a very common, safe, and effective first step to help with these conditions.
However, sometimes women find it difficult to attend or fully take part in their physiotherapy sessions. When this happens, their condition might not improve as much as it could, and in some cases, they might even need more involved treatments later on, like surgery. This research aims to understand why some women benefit more than others and why some might not attend their appointments. By understanding these reasons, we can help improve how healthcare is offered and make sure more women get the best possible support.
To do this, we'll look at information already collected by the hospital, such as details about physical health, how a woman feels emotionally, and other general information. We'll link this to how well women improve and how often they attend their appointments. We will also speak to a small group of women who either attended or didn't attend their appointments to hear their thoughts directly about the care they received and their reasons. This will help us identify what works well and what could be changed to better support women with pelvic floor issues.
Key takeaways
- Study to improve care for women with pelvic floor problems.
- Investigating why women do or don't attend physiotherapy.
- Uses routine health information and questionnaires.
- Some women will be interviewed about their experiences.
- Your treatment will not be affected by taking part.
- Aims to make healthcare better for all.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for women who are 18 years old or older and have been diagnosed with pelvic floor muscle problems. You would need to be referred for physiotherapy treatment at the Women's Health Unit at Singleton Hospital in Swansea.
If you are under 18, or if you don't have pelvic floor muscle problems, this study would not be suitable for you. Also, if you are unable to understand and agree to take part, you wouldn't be able to join the study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a woman?
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you been diagnosed with a pelvic floor muscle problem?
- Are you being referred for physiotherapy at Singleton Hospital, Swansea?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll first be given all the study information to read, and if you agree, you'll sign a consent form. During your usual visits to Singleton Hospital, we'll collect some routine measurements like your height, weight, and check your pelvic floor function. You'll also be asked to fill in some questionnaires about your pelvic floor health, general wellbeing, daily life, and how you're feeling emotionally. These questionnaires should take about 30 minutes to complete.
After this, you'll receive your women's health physiotherapy treatment as you normally would – this research won't change your medical care. When your treatment is finished and you are discharged, you'll be asked to complete the same questionnaires again.
Some women (80 in total, half who attended their appointments and half who didn't) will be randomly chosen to be contacted after their first appointment. If you're one of them and agree, you'll have a phone chat with a researcher (not someone from your treatment team). This chat will be about your thoughts on the healthcare you received and your reasons for attending or not attending your appointments. This phone conversation will take between 15 and 30 minutes, be recorded anonymously, and then analysed.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Singleton HospitalVerified postcodeSwansea, United Kingdom
Common questions
Will taking part affect my physiotherapy treatment?
No, your physiotherapy treatment will be exactly the same, whether or not you decide to take part in this study.
What information will be collected about me?
We'll use some routine information from your medical notes like height, weight, and age, plus your diagnoses. You'll also fill out questionnaires about your pelvic floor, general health, quality of life, and emotional wellbeing.
How long will the questionnaires take?
The questionnaires should take about 30 minutes to complete at the start of your treatment and again when you finish.
Will anyone know my answers?
All information you provide will be kept private. If you have a phone interview, it will be recorded anonymously, meaning your identity won't be linked to your answers.
Do I have to do the phone interview?
No, the phone interview is optional. You can choose to take part in the main study without doing the interview.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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